LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



i|ap. ©xijnjrig^i If o, 



Shelf. 



I 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



THE CHRISTIAN 

Ministers' Manual. 



FOR THE USE OF 



CHURCH OFFICERS 



IN THE VARIOUS RELATIONS OF 



Evangelists, Pastors, Bishops and Deacons. 



1/ 

By F. M. GREEN. 



/.I 



MDttD : " Let all things be done decently and In Drder." 

^oTco 




ST. LOUIS: 
JOHN BURNS, Publisher. 






Copyright 

by 

John Burns. 



The Library 
of Congress 

washington 



PREFACE 

Oil its title page is a general statement of £he purpose of this 
book. It is the outgrowth of a conviction firmly established in 
the mind of its author that it is needed. Several distinguished 
ministers of the Word have contributed directly and indirectly 
of their wisdom and research and labor to its pages. The 
author desires to acknowledge special help received from the 
writings of Alexander Campbell, Prof. J. W. McGarvey, F. M. 
Brunei*, T. W. Brents, and A. B. Jones, and from the direct contri- 
butions of Thomas Munnell and Robert Moffett. 

If used according to the design of its author, it will prove 
an efficient helper to the ministers of the Church of Christ in 
their various official relations. It is intended as a hand-book 
for preachers and church officers, and while no Christian should 
allow himself to become a slave to forms and ceremonials, still 
enough attention should be given to them to insure decency and 
order in all church work. Its aim is to supply a practical want 
in a practical way. 

If it shall be the means of assisting those for whom it is pre- 
pared to a better understanding and appreciation of their solemn 
and important duties, and to a higher and nobler consecration to 
the service of the Lord, in the ministry of His Word and the 
11 perfecting of the saints," the reward will be abundant. 

F. M. GREEN. 

Kext, O., January 8th, 1883. 



CONTENTS. 



I. 

Introductory — The Christian Ministry — Faith and Works — Two 
Great Questions — God's Answer — Man's Answer — The Divine 
Command and Man's Duty — A Minister of the New Testa- 
ment and his Qualifications — The Value of Method — The Pur- 
pose and Value of the Christian Minister— Pages 9-11 

II. 

The Evangelist — The Necessity of the Evangelist — The Work of 
a Titus — The Character of the Work and Duties of the Evan- 
gelist — By Whom and Why he Was Sent Out — By Whom his 
Field of Labor was Marked Out — To Whom He Reported 
His Work — The Name " Evangelist" — The Present Need — 
When is a Congregation in Good Working Order — How to 
find out the Needs of Congregations — How to Proceed to 
" Set in Order" — The Main Difficulties in Disordered 
Churches— Pages 12-19 

III. 

The Bishop or Elder—The Bishop's Office— The Duties of the 

Office — The Office to be Desired — Qualifications for the 

Office— Six Classes of Qualifications— When Kespect will be 

shown to the Eldership— Pages 20-23 



VI CONTENTS. 

IV. 

The Deacons— The Duties of the Deacons— The Necessity of 
this Office— Specific Duties of the Deacons— Their Number to 
be Limited by the size of the Congregation and the Work to 
be Done — Pages - 1 . 23-24 

V. . 

Official Meetings— The Monthly Meetings of Church Officers- 
How to Organize the Officers' Meeting— Standing Commit- 
tees— Order of Business for Official Meetings. 

Lord's Day Meetings — By Whom Conducted — A Previous Under- 
standing — Order of Services. 

The Lord's Table— Suitable Preparation for it— The Furniture 
Necessary — The Communion Bread — Order of Service — 
Remarks. 

The Prayer Meeting — Prayer and Social Meeting— How Con- 
ducted—A Good Prayer Meeting — Pages 25-30 



VL 



Organization of a Church — The Necessary Elements in an Organi- 
zation — The Object of a Christian Congregation — Remarks. 

A Church Covenant — The Church Record — Form of Church 
Covenant. 

The Election of Officers — How to Select Officers— Their Quali- 
fications — Proving Them . 

Ordination of Officers — Reasons for Ordination — Scriptural 
Form of Ordination — Who Officiated — The Imposition of 
Hands — Order of Ordination — Outline of Ordination Services 
— Question to the Congregation — Questions to the Candidate. 



CONTENTS. Vll 

Business Meetings — General Business Meetings — Object of the 
Annual Church Meeting — The Report of the Church Clerk — 
The Report of the Trustees — The Report of the Treasurer — 
The Report of the Deacons — The Report of the Sunday School 
Superintendent — The Report of the Elders — Remarks — The 
Official Meetings. 

Church Letters — Their Character and Use — Form of General 
Church Letter — Form of Special Church Letter — Pages, 31-43 

VII. 

Difficulties and Their Management— Occasions of Stumbling- 
Private Settlement of Difficulties if Possible — Public Action 
by the Elders — Endorsement of the Board of Officers — State- 
ment of the Case to the Church — Resolutions to Withdraw 
the Hand of Fellowship — How to Proceed if Objections are 
made — Where the Accused Denies the Charge and Specifica- 
tions — How to Form a Committee to hear the Case— Calling 
a Council from Abroad — How the Committee Should be 
Organized — How to Proceed with the Case — What the Report 
of the Committee should Embrace — Necessity of Clear State- 
ments — Remarks . 

Questions and Their Answers— Two Kinds of Questions — Gen- 
eral and Special — Pages 44^52 

VIII. 

Ministers of the Gospel and Their Duties— The True Preach- 
er of the Word of God — The Minister's Office — Shepherds 
to the Flock — Pastors in the Primitive Church — The Chris- 
tian Pastor's Duties — The Happy Pastor — Public Preaching a 
Part of the Pastor's Duties — Definition of a Sermon — The 
terms, Bishop, Overseer or Elder, and Pastor — Remarks. 



Vlll CONTENTS. 

Administration of Baptism— Remarks — The Administration of 
Baptism — The Baptismal Formula — Various Baptismal Form- 
ulas. 

The Lord's Supper — When it was Instituted — Why the Disci- 
ples of Christ Observe it — How to Properly Observe it — 
Forms of Thanksgiving. 

The Benediction— The Propriety of the Benediction — Forms of 
Benediction — Apostolic Benedictions. 

The Solemnization of Matrimony — The Institution of Marriage — 
Marriage Honorable — Its Obligations of the Most Sacred 
Character — The Marriage Ceremony — Various Forms of Cere- 
mony — Prayer After the Ceremony. 

The Burial of the Dead — Preparation for the Burial — Duties of 
the Christian Minister — Special Directions to Ministers — 
Scriptural Services — Selections of Scripture for Funeral Ser- 
vices — Special Selections— Services for a Child — Services for 
the Young — Services for Christians — General Services. 

At the Grave — Form of Burial Service — Another Form of Com- 
mittal — Benediction — Pages 53-94 

IX. 

The* Sick Room — The Blessings of Affliction — Patience and Trust 
Divine Mercy and Sympathy — The Recovery of Health — The 
Dying Christian — Pages .95-108 

X. 

Funeral Sermons and Addresses— Subjects— Death and Judg- 
ment—Christian Ripeness— The Dead Child— The Certainty 
of the Resurrection — Death will not end us — Human Life — 
The Glorified Dead— The Grandeur of the Christian's Death 
—Pages 109-115 



I. 

INTRODUCTORY. 



THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER IS MORE THAN A PREACHER 
OF SERMONS. 



The Christian ministry embraces every character 
The Chris- and element which is necessary for the 
try. " perfecting of the saints, for the work of 

the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." 
Two great There are two great chapters in the life of 
chapters. every man who fears God and works right- 
eousness. Faith and works are the striking and sug- 
gestive words which stand at the head of them. 
Whom and what to believe and how to work are the 
Two great two great questions which concern every 
questions. mau who d es i res ^ « strike hard blows for 

God." The first question God answers, and in his 
word he has expressed himself so clearly that the 
simplest may understand, and none need misunder- 
stand. 



10 THE CHRISTIAN 

Jesus the Christ is the beginning, the middle and 
God's An- the end of the faith which saves; and his 
sw©r. divine character and doctrine, power and 

glory, overarch the feeblest or the strongest faith of 
man. 

The second question is left by divine wisdom largely 
Man's An- if n °t entirely to the wisdom and discretion 
swer. f ^.j ie Christian man. God lays the found- 

ation of the faith which saves in the Eternal Eock ; 
but the foundation of Christian endeavor and enter- 
prise is laid in the sanctified w T isdom, the enlightened 
conscience, and the willing heart of the Christian 
man ; hence very little is said in the New Testament 
concerning the "how " the commandments should be 
The Divine obeyed. " Go " is God's command ; " How 
and m San' s to Go " is left to man ' s wisdom. " Let all 
duty. things be done decently and in order/' is 

God's command ; but the details of obedience must 
by necessity be left to the wisdom of man. 

It is no ordinary combination of qualities, and no 
a minister of ordinary amount of grace is needed to make 

the New Tes- . 

tament. a man an ' ' able minister of the New Tes- 

tament." For his work he will require : 

" A Father's tenderness ; a Shepherd's care ; 
A Leader's courage, which the cross can bear; 
A Euler's awe ; a Watchman's wakeful eye; 
A Pilot's skill, the helm in storms to ply ; 
A Fisher's patience, and a Laborer's toil ; 
A Guide's dexterity to disembroil; 
A Prophet's inspiration from above ; 
A Teacher's knowledge, and a Saviour's love." 



11 

Added to these qualities and to this grace, a good 
method of work, and a minister is fully ready for his 
service. While method is not everything, yet it is 
" something with all/' and with some it is almost 
The value of "everything." In the " able minister of 
method. t ] ie jf ew Testament" the truth will exist 
as a living experience, a glowing enthusiasm, an in- 
tense reality. The end of his work is divine man- 
hood. To tell what manhood is and to inspire men 
to reach it, he unfolds the truth as it is in Christ 
Jesus, the perfect man ; and in this service his spirit 
is love, the inspiration of his life the living spirit of 
God, and his methods are the best he can obtain from 
every source. 



II. 



THE EVANGELIST. 



In all ages of the Church of Christ there has been, 
of necessity, a division of labor in order to the edifi- 
cation and the perfection of the saints. 

As in the age of the apostles there were " diversi- 
Thenecessity ties of gifts," and " diversities of minis- 
geiist 6 van " ters," and " diversities of workings, 5 ' so 
it is now. 

As then it needed a Titus to " set in order the things 
The need of that were wanting," so now the same in- 
a Titus. completeness of church life and church 
management require the same kind of ministration. 

The character of the duties and work of the evan- 
The charac- gelist may be learned from the following 
work and selection of New Testament passages . 

duties of the H ^ -, , . . ,.. 

Evangelist. 1. Grod gave evangelists, as well as 
pastors and teachers to the church. (Eph. iv : 11). 

2. These evangelists were sent out by the apostles 
By whom and the primitive church, and by the author- 
TeZ h Vent li 7 of the Hol y Spirit, to "preach the word" 
out —II. Timothy iv : 2 ; Acts xiii : 2 ; to " ap- 



THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER^ MANUAL. 13 

point elders " — Acts xiv: 23 ; and afterward to visit the 
brethren to " see how they fare" — Acts xv: 36; to 
"set in order the things that were wanting " — Titus 
i: 5; to "guard the truth 7 ' — I. Timothy, i: 3; to 
"assist the elders" — Acts xx : 18-35; to "secure 
discipline "— I. Timothy, v : 20, and Titus iii : 10-11 ; 
and to " promote benevolent giving for home and for- 
eign uses" — I, Cor. viii : 1-24, and Titus iii: 13, 14. 

3. That the fields of labor of these itinerant evan- 
gelists were generally marked out by those who sent 
by whom them is apparent from the following pas- 

lafo fi r e wer°e Sa § eS : Acts viii : 14 5 xi : 22 > xix : 22 > JI - 

m a arkedout. Timothy, iv: 10, 12, 20; Titus i: 5, and 
I. Timothy, i: 3. 

4. Peter and Paul, besides their apostolic office, 
To whom were general evangelists (Gal. ii : 9), and 
* h | y t r k P ° fr reported their work to the churches at Je- 
work. rusalem and Antioch (Acts xi : 1-4 ; xv : 
27) ; Silas and Mark, assisted Peter (I. Peter, v: 12, 
13), and Erastus, Timothy, Tychicus, Titus, Silas, 
and many others, assisted Paul in various districts in 
Asia and Europe. 

They were, as their name signifies, " messengers of 
The name g 00 & tidings," but they were more: they 
Evangelist. we re administrative officers of the grace of 
good order to the churches where it was wanting. 

Manifestly, what was needed then is needed now if 
The greatest ^ e meaning of the foregoing passages of 
need. Scripture has been rightly apprehended. 

Therefore, the following questions and answers will 
not only suggest the business of the modern evan- 



14 THE CHRISTIAN 

gelist, other than that of preaching the gospel, but also 
a method of procedure. 

When is a congregation in good working order ? 
in good work- Answer: 1. When they support a regular 
ing order. minister a part or all of his time; when 
they keep up their weekly meetings in the absence of 
preaching ; when the preacher, bishops and deacons 
have their regular monthly meetings to examine the 
church register, to see to their finances, the discipline 
needed, the care of the flock, and all other business 
interests of the church ; and when they pay all their 
debts according to contract. 

2. A congregation is in good working order when 
the officers enlist every responsible member in giving 
their equitable portion of the current expenses for 
home and mission work, and see that it is collected in 
due time that there may be no " gatherings " when it 
is needed, or a long or short list of delinquents who 
do not pay until the next apportionment is made. 

3. A congregation is in good working order when 
the officers see to it, that the deacons try diligently 
to collect all dues in time, and when there is no pub- 
lic dunning, "pay up, pay up, pay up." It is not 
necessary that everybody should know all the little 
inside financial affairs of the church. 

4. A congregation is in good working order, when 
they keep up a good Sunday school and prayer meet- 
ing, when sinners are being converted, when feeble 
saints are visited and comforted, and all new-comers 
are looked after at once, and, if possible, brought into 
the church, and when the church holds its own pro- 
tracted meetings with their own preacher. And, 



minister's manual. 15 

finally, all these things will be done in the best possi- 
ble way, if the members are taught to read the Scrip- 
tures, and pray in secret every day. Then will they 
"grow in grace" and possess the "life of God" 
which is the secret of success in every good word and 
work. 

HOW CAN THE EVANGELIST FIND OUT WHETHER THE 
How to find CONGREGATION HE VISITS NEEDS TO BE SET IN 

of^congre? order? Or suppose he were to go to Kent, 
gation. or Cincinnati, or St. Louis, how would he 

find out whether there was anything needed or not in 
these congregations. Answer : 

1. He would inquire, in no offensive way, of the 
preacher or other officer concerning the condition of 
the church. Frequently these inquiries should be 
made of the prominent unofficial members of the 
church. Such questions as these should be asked. 
How many bishops and deacons have you in this con- 
gregation ? Who are the bishops ? Who has the 
church register ? Do the officers have regular official 
meetings to attend to the business of the church? 
How many of your members pay anything toward 
church expenses ? Are there any difficulties between 
members of the church ? Is there harmony between 
the church and its officers? etc., etc. 

Where it is found out that the church register 
cannot be found, that the officers never have business 
meetings, that there is trouble among the members, 
that the officers and members are not in harmony, it 
may be considered as a fact that, that congregation is 
not in good order ; for it might as well be expected 
that a bank would be well managed if its directors 



16 THE CHRISTIAN 

never met, or the government well managed without 
the meeting of the Cabinet, as to expect a church to 
be well governed without regular meetings of its 
officers. The following is a fair description of some 
things which transpire in such a congregation. A 
preacher is needed. The officers go before the whole 
congregation and ask the promiscuous assembly to 
nominate a man. Very likely several are nominated, 
and different parties are developed, each determined 
to elect its candidate, and trouble certainly follows ; 
whereas, if the officers had counseled together and 
found out whom they could get, and all about him, 
and then unitedly recommended him to the congre- 
gation, no trouble would have followed. 

When a congregation is found where the members 
scarcely know who their officers are; and when the 
nominal officers have only a faint recollection of when 
and how they became such ; when seventy-five per 
cent, of the members never pay anything to the church 
treasury ; and a large number of those who subscribe 
never pay their subscription, and no known remedy 
can be applied ; when the monthly preacher has been 
going there for years, and taken no notice of these 
disorders ; and when the preacher has an idea that 
the business of the church is absolutely none of his 
business, and that all he has to do is to preach his 
fruitless sermons, and takes no interest in the finances 
or the pastoral care of the members, or the discipline 
of the church — if he is a Gallio that " cares for none 
of these things," the evangelists need go no further — 
that church and the preacher need setting in order. 



minister's manual. 17 

If the Evangelist decides that a congregation 

How to pro- NEEDS TO BE SET IN ORDER, HOW SHALL HE 

ceed. proceed to do it? Answer: 

1. Let the evangelist preach a sermon to as large an 
audience as he can get, on some such text as " Let all 
things be done decently and in order," during which 
subjects like those mentioned in the foregoing para- 
graphs are touched upon, and the working of a church 
in good order shown, the teaching of the sermon 
being illustrated and enforced in various ways. 

2. Let a meeting of all the officers be called at 
some convenient hour Sunday afternoon, say at 2:30 
o'clock. At this meeting call out an expression of 
each officer on each of these questions, or on such 
of them as are necessary. The evangelist should say 
to the officers that he has come to them not to force 
himself or his opinions on them against their will or 
judgment, but simply to offer his services wherever 
they are needed, and that they must decide whether 
his services are needed or not. When the evangelist 
approaches them in this spirit, they will always be glad 
of his presence, and earnestly invite him to help them. 

3. Begin at once, then, to point out to them 
clearly their respective duties and responsibilities, 
" opening and alleging " many things from the Scrip- 
tures concerning them. If additional officers are 
needed, help them to make the proper selection. 
Then proceed to consider the financial ability of each 
member and his equitable apportionment for the ex- 
penses of the church. Then revise the church regis- 
ter, taking down the names of members who are 
"walking disorderly," and who need to be seen at 



18 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER'S MANUAL, 

once ; those who appear indifferent and need to be 
roused to action ; those whose known characters are 
such that the church should immediately withdraw 
from them ; and the good members who need instruc- 
tion in more efficient service. Then establish regular 
monthly official meetings ., and organize the board of 
officers by the selection of a chairman, secretary and 
treasurer ; teach each his duties, and how to manage 
the affairs of the Kingdom of God. The evangelist 
ought to remain long enough to carefully instruct the 
officers in their respective duties. 

The main deficiencies in disordered churches are 
three : 

1. A lack of official meetings and management. 

2. Alack of financial system. 

3. A lack of pastoral care of the flock though there 
may be a pulpit man, the costliest ornament a church 
ever pays for. 



Ill 



THE BISHOP OR ELDER. 



It is quite generally conceded that in the Church of 
Christ, the terms bishop, elder or overseer and pastor 
refer to the various elements which are found in the 
same ecclesiastical office. In the first is the executive 
TheBishop's idea as presidency ; in the second of over- 
office. sight, moderation and experience ; and in 

the third that of feeding or tending as a shepherd the 
flock of God. 
The duties of A ^ ew simple terms describe the various 

the office. dutieg of the office . 

1. " Presiding " and " laboring in word and teach- 
ing." I. Timothy v: 17. 

2. " Taking heed to" or " watching the flock," 
"feeding or tending God's congregation" — Acts xx: 28. 

3. "Leading," "speaking the word of God," 
"watching for souls," " Giving account " — Heb. xiii : 
7, 17. 

4. " Feeding or tending the flock of God," " over- 
seeing it willingly as examples to the flock " — I. Peter 
v:l, 3. 

19 



20 THE CHRISTIAN 

5. " Holding fast the faithful word as he hath 
been taught, that he may be able by sound teaching 
both to exhort and to convince the gainsay er," " stop- 
ping the mouths of unruly and vain talkers and 
deceivers" — Titus i : 9, 11. 

From such a view of it, it may justly be said, that 
the office is " love's grandest opportunity." He 
The office to w ^o desires the office, desires a good work, 
be desired. an( j ^ p reserV ation and the growth of 
the congregation depend upon the proper discharge of 
the duties of the office. 

The qualifications for the office of a bishop are all 
prescribed by the Apostle Paul in the third chapter 
of the first epistle to Timothy, and the first 
tions for the chapter of Titus. They may be divided 
naturally into six divisions, and they are 
distinguished as they relate respectively to expe- 
rience, reputation, domestic relations, character, 
habits, and ability to teach and rule. These divis- 
ions deserve in their order a brief notice. 

1. Experience. By this is meant experience in the 
life of a christian. Paul says that a bishop should 
not be a new convert, lest, being lifted up with pride, 
he fall into the condemnation of the devil — I. Timo- 
thy, iii : 6. It is important that " pride of office" 
shall not characterize the eldership. 

2. Reputation, The good which a church is capa- 
ble of accomplishing in a community depends very 
much upon its reputation, and the reputation of the 
church depends much upon the reputation of its rep- 
resentative men. Most wisely, therefore, is it requir- 
ed that a bishop shall have a "good report of them 



21 

that are without, lest he fall into reproach and the 
snare of the devil" — I. Timothy, 3:7. His moral 
and religious character must have a good report from 
men whose opinion is worth considering, and who 
know the habits of the bishop. 

3. Domestic Relations. To Timothy and Titus both, 
the apostle prescribes that the bishop shall be the 
husband of one wife. It would, therefore, be unlaw- 
ful to place a polygamist or bigamist in the office. 
Undoubtedly the bishop ought to be a married man, 
the husband of one wife, " ruling well his own house, 
having his children in subjection with all gravity/' 
" having faithful children not accused of riot or un- 
ruly." " For if a man know not how to rule his own 
house, how shall he take care of the church of God ? " 

4. Character. The traits which must enter into the 
character of a bishop when taken together present a 
very rare combination. He must be ''blameless," 
his character standing in fair comparison with the 
characters of other good men; " not covetous," for a 
covetous eldership makes a covetous church, and a 
covetous church is a dead church; "not greedy of 
filthy lucre" or guilty of making money by base 
means; " not self willed," for no man is fit to hold 
office jointly with other men, who is not content to 
often yield his own will to that of his compeers ; he 
must not be a " brawler," nor "soon angry," but 
" temperate" and patient;" he must be " sober- 
minded," a lover of hospitality," "*a lover of good 
men " and "holy," for he is set apart to a holy 
office, and his official acts concern the most holy rela- 
tions which bind men to one another, and to their God. 



22 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER'S MANUAL. 

5. Habits. A man's habits grow out of his charac- 
ter, but they also react upon his character, tending 
constantly to make it either better or worse. The 
bishop must be vigilant, and watchful, and not 
" given to wine." 

6. Intellectual Qualifications. He must be " apt to 
teach," not only in the sense of being " capable of 
teaching," because he knows what ought to be taught, 
but also because he is able to clearly and in an in- 
teresting and instructive manner tell what he knows. 
This specially is true of those bishops " who labor in 
word and teaching." Each member of the eldership 
must be u capable of teaching " to the extent that he 
knows what ought to be taught. Thus constituted 
the eldership will be respected by all, and its power 
acknowledged in the splendid triumphs of the Church 
of Christ. 



IV. 



THE DEACONS. 



According to the apostolic teaching, the church 
officiary was not complete without deacons, a class of 
ministers whose special duty was to attend to the 
wants of the poor and to the temporal interests of the 
congregation, but who assisted also in the spiritual 
ministrations of the church. 

The duties of the deacons are suggested by such 
The duties of passages as Acts, vi : 2, 4: " It is not fit 
the Deacon. that we should forsake the word of God, 
and serve (minister) tables," and iC we will con- 
tinue steadfastly in prayer, and in the ministry of the 
word. 5 ' So said the apostles, and it is> therefore, 
concluded that the deacons were charged with that 
class of cares which relate to the material necessities 
of the congregation. 

While the saints are in the body, though possessed 

Thenecessity °f a new ^ e > s ^^ they are Compelled to 

of this office. re cognize their relations to a material 
world; and there is a noble service for loving hearts 
and hands in providing for those wants springing out 

26 



24 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER'S MANUAL. 

of these relations, among the poor and in the general 
service of the congregation. Women, also took part 
in this service. Romans, xvi : 1, 2 ; I. Timothy, v : 9. 
Notwithstanding the general character of their ser- 
vice, (Rom., 12: 7.) still the deacons frequently rose 
to distinction as bishops and evangelists : " For 
those who serve well, win for themselves a good 
standing and great boldness in the faith which is in 
Christ Jesus," which was verified in a remarkable 
degree in the case of Stephen and Philip, Acts, vi : 7 
and viii : 5. 

The deacons should also see that the Lord's Table 
Specific du- is properly furnished and spread, on the 
Deacons. ' Lord's Day, and that its furniture is kept 
clean and bright. 

They should look after the necessities of the poor 
and the sick, and report to the church. 

They should give special attention to the finances 
of the church, and see to it, that each member has 
the opportunity to do his equitable share in meeting 
the various and necessary financial obligations of the 
congregation. Usually from among them, the treas- 
urer and church clerk should be selected. 

Their number should be limited by the size of the 
congregation and the work to be done. 



V. 



OFFICIAL MEETINGS. 



The officers of every congregation ought to have 
Monthly regular monthly meetings for the consider- 
officers gs ation of church business. At these meet- 
ings, all classes of church officers should be present. 
The minister of the church who labors in word and 
teaching should be there, and also the superintendent 
of the Sunday school, and the trustees of the church 
property. 

The meeting should organize by choosing one of 
Howtoorga- the elders to preside. A clerk should also 
cer's meeting, be chosen, who shall keep a record of the 
business of the monthly meetings. Where practica- 
ble, the church clerk should be clerk of the officers' 
meeting. The chairman and clerk may be chosen 
for one year. One or the deacons should be chosen 
to act as treasurer for the church. 

, . The officers may be divided into stand- 

stand in g . J 

committees. i n g committees as follows : 

1. Committee on the spiritual condition and 

needs of the church : Whose duty it shall be to 

25 



26 THE CHRISTIAN 

acquaint themselves with all accessible facts in regard 
to these matters. 

2. Committee on Erring Members : Whose spe- 
cial duty shall be to look after delinquent and other- 
wise disorderly members. 

3. Committee on Public Preaching : Whose 
special duty shall be to see that the pulpit is sup- 
plied. 

4. Committee on Finance : Whose special duty 
shall be to consider all questions connected with the 
finances of the church. 

5. Committee on the Poor and Sick : Whose 
special duty shall be to ascertain the necessities of 
these classes, and make provision to meet them. 
Order of Busi- The following is a good order of business 
ness. £ or fft c i a i meetings : 

1. Reading the Scriptures and Prayer. 

2. Reading of Minutes of last meeting, 

3. Report of Treasurer. 

4. Report of the Board of Deacons. 

5. Report of Standing Committees. 

6. Report of Special Committees. 

7. Report of Sunday-school Superintendent. 

8. Miscellaneous Business. 

9. Benediction. 

This order indicates quite sufficiently the nature of 
the matters which will be considered. The report of 
the treasurer and board of deacons will bring the ma- 
terial necessities of the church before the meeting for 
its consideration. If some new enterprise is to be inau- 
gurated ; if repairs on the church property are needed ; 



27 

if a thorough canvass of the church for increasing the 
regular revenues is important ; if the church is not 
sustaining as it should missionary enterprises ; if the 
poor need help and the sick need visiting — all these 
several matters may be disposed of either by the meet- 
ing itself or by a reference to committees, instructed 
to report at the next meeting. The report concerning 
the spiritual condition of the church will bring before 
the meeting the names of members who should be 
visited and admonished. This report will be the re- 
port of a standing committee, and should be made by 
one of the elders (usually by the so-called pastor). 
The work of this committee may be distributed among 
the elders, or even assigned in part to good brethren 
and sisters who are not officially connected with the 
church, who will be expected to report at the next 
meeting. The report of the Sunday-school superin- 
tendent will bring before the meeting the condition 
and needs of the Sunday-school for action and advice. 



lord's day meetings. 



The public meetings of the church on the Lord's 
By whom Day should be conducted — except the 
conducted. p U lpit services — by the senior bishop, or 
such other brethren as may be invited by the elders 
to officiate. 

There should be a clear and distinct previous un- 
a previous derstanding between the elders of the 

understand- . , -, ., . . , , , . 

mg, church and the minister as to what is ex- 

pected of each of them on ordinary occasions. Cir- 



28 THE CHRISTIAN 

cumstances may require the minister to conduct all 
the Lord's Day services. 

A good order for the public services of the Lord's 
Order of Ser- -^ a y * s desirable. The following, which is 
vices. subject to amendment, as circumstances 

may demand, is given : 

1. An opening hymn of praise, or thanksgiving. 

2. The reading of a Scripture lesson either by the 
preacher or as a responsive service. 

3. Prayer. 

4. Public collection and announcements of meet- 
ings, etc., etc. 

5. Singing. 

6. Sermon. 

7. Invitation hymn. 

8. The Lord's Supper. 

9. Closing song and benediction. 

Sometimes the general congregation may be dis- 
missed before the " breaking of bread." This is 
usually done in the cities, and where the congregations 
are made up mostly of non-members of the church. 



Where the communion service immediately follows 
preaching, or social worship, the table 
repara ion. g j 10U j ( j ^ @ nea ^y prepared before the ser- 
vices begin. The table should be covered with a 
clean white spread, upon which the emblems should 
be placed — the wine in a clean flagon and the bread 
on a clean plate. 



minister's manual, 29 

There should be a flagon of neat pattern and of suf- 
The Fumi- ficient size for the wine, and at least two 
ture - plates for the distribution of the bread, and 

two cups for the distribution of the wine. The num- 
ber of plates and cups will depend on the size of the 
congregation to be served. 

The best loaf of bread for this service is made like 
The Loaf of common pie-crust, well baked, but not 
Bread. dried or burned. The emblems should be 

placed upon the table in good order, and neatly cov- 
ered with a clean white cloth. 

In this country there is no excuse for having a soiled 
table spread, or for using decanters, demijohns, or 
common pitchers for the wine. The flagon, cups and 
plates should all be cleaned carefully after each use. 

The deacons should first wait on the minister or 
order of Ser- officers who preside at the table, then in 
vice. order upon the congregation. When the 

congregation has been served the deacons should be 
seated together and waited upon by the presiding 
officer or his assistants. 

If these suggestions are observed, the communion 
service will be a " service of joy ?? to each 
Christian heart " joying and beholding your 
order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. " 



THE PRAYER MEETING. 



The weekly prayer meeting of the church ought to 
Prayer and be, for the church, a thoroughly good and 

social meet- -i i i ± • 

ing. valuable meeting. 



30 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTER'S MANUAL. 

It should be held regularly and promptly every 
How conduct- week. It should be presided over by one 
ed> of the official board, or by some memoer of 

the church, who is invited to do so because of his 
special fitness for such a duty. To have a good meet- 
ing > each member should attend in the spirit of one 
whose " citizenship is in heaven; from whence, also, 
we wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.' ' 

Each one comes with a Bible or Testament, and has 
a psalm, a teaching, a revelation, an exhortation or an 
interpretation, a hymn or a spiritual song, upon which 
he has previously meditated, and is prepared to read 
or report. 

An hour is spent in song and prayer and reading 
and exhortation, and the service is closed by the read- 
ing in concert of a selection from the Scriptures, the 
doxology and the benediction. 

A prayer meeting of this character would never be 
counted dull or dry. 



VI. 



ORGANIZATION OF A CHURCH. 



Three things are necessary in every human organ- 
ise n ecessa- ization : First, persons who desire to work 
m an le organ- together ; second, rules by which they agree 
ization. to fo e governed ; and, third, officers to exe- 

cute and administer the rules adopted. 

As the Christian congregation is the convenient and 
The object of practicable method chosen by the disciples 
congrega^ of Christ for individual edification in doc- 
tion, trine and grace ; for social Christian inter- 

course ; and for local Christian work, the details of its 
organization are left entirely to the discretion and 
wisdom of those who desire to form the local congre- 
gation, 

The commandment to organize congregations could 
not be easily found ; but good reasons for their exist- 
ence are numerous. 

1. They are the expression of the desire to come 
together, of those who are of the " same mind and of 
the same heart" in the Lord. 

2. They are the expression of the well-known in- 
stinct of self-preservation and perpetuation wfyich 

31 



32 THE CHRISTIAN 

forever and ever decides that it is not "good to be 
alone." 

3. They are the expression of the well-known fact 
that a division of labor is necessary to accomplish the 
greatest results. 

4. And while Christ does not command his follow- 
ers to organize themselves into local congregations, he 
does recognize the wisdom of such action on the part 
of his disciples. 

The perfection of the individual life in Christ is 
what Christ is for and what the church is 
for. For a very good reason, therefore, 
Christ left his church, general and local, without a 
detailed system of organization and government ; not 
that men might study out elaborate despotisms in his 
name, but that each believer might, under Christ, work 
out his own salvation through a self-controlled life, 
The conscience that must be regnant, triumphant and 
responsive to the least of Christ's commands, is a per- 
sonal conscience, and not a church conscience. And 
it is when the individual personal heart and con- 
science are right that the church, whether local or 
general, is " without spot or wrinkle or any such 
thing." 

A CHURCH COVENANT. 



In every well-ordered -congregation, there should 
be a well kept and intelligible record. 

This record should embody the register of the 
The church names °f members, with the form and date 
Record. f their admission to the church ; the rea- 



ministers' manual. 33 

son and date of dismissal ; matters of historical inter- 
est ; carefully prepared reports of the annual and offi- 
cial meetings ; and other matters which may be of 
interest or of legal value to the congregation. 

A simple form of covenant or agreement ought to 
Form of introduce the register of names, and the 
nant. record of the church. The following is 

given as a suitable form : 

We, the undersigned, having been immersed upon con- 
fession of our faith in Christ, do unite to form a Church of 

Christ in ; and having already covenanted with 

God in Christ, do hereby covenant with each other that we 
will keep all the ordinances and commandments of our 
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, agreeing to be governed in 
our personal conduct and in our Church relations and obli- 
gations by the Law of Christ, as taught in the New Testa- 
ment, and pledging each other to do all in our power to 
promote the peace, unity and prosperity of this Church, 
and to extend the kingdom of Christ in all the world. 
. In Testimony Whereof, we affix our respective names, on 
this, the day , A. D. 188 — . 



THE SELECTION OF OFFICERS, 



On the selection and appointment of church officers, 
The selection the following suggestions are worthy of 
of officers. attention : 

1. When the time and the necessity arise for 
officers, whether elders or deacons, or as in the case 
of a new organization, both the evangelist or other 
leader, should call the attention of the congregation 



34 THE CHRISTIAN 

to the general and specific qualifications which these 
iTim.iii: i-i3 officers must possess. These passages from 
Titus, i: 5-16. ^ e a p OS tolic directions should be carefully 
and conscientiously studied. 

2. The congregation should then select from its 
membership the persons possessing these qualifica- 
tions. Acts vi : 3 ; and xiii : 1, 11. 

This selection may be made by lot or by 

How to select. . ,, A . . . .. J __ J J 

ballot. Acts 1 : 12, 26. 
The final result should be, that whoever is selected 
should receive the unanimous support of the congre- 
gation. 

3. When a sufficient time has passed, to u prove " 
their fitness to act permanently in the places to which 
they have been chosen, both in ability to teach, and 
in willing and capable oversight, then let them be 
formally ordained with some appropriate ceremonies. 



ORDINATION OF OFFICERS. 



It is impossble. to give a good reason why those 
Reasons for w ^° h ave been unanimously chosen to the 
ordination, oversight and service of a Christian com- 
munity should not be formally inducted into the office 
to which they have been elected. 

In the early church, the ordination ceremonies con- 
scriptuai sisted in the imposition of hands, accom- 
nSn, ° " panied with fasting and prayer. Acts vi ; 
5,6; xiii: 23; I Tim. v: 22, 



ministers' manual. 35 

On such occasions apostles, evangelists, and elders 
officiated or presided either alone or con- 

Who officiated . . , . . 

jointly. Acts vi: 5, 6; Acts xiv : 23; I. 
Tim. iv : 14 

In those days " hands were imposed not always 
The imposi- for conferring spiritual gifts ; but also for 
tiono Hands. (j evo ^ n g an( j separating persons to the 
work of the Lord. Persons of inferior standing in 
point of office, laid the hands of ordination on those 
who were their superiors in gifts and abilities, as 
well as in general standing in the estimation of the 
brethren. 

Imposition of hands was essential to ordination, 
accompanied by fasting and prayer ; and no excel- 
lence in the gifts of preaching, teaching, or of adminis- 
tering the affairs of the family of God, or call or 
qualification on the part of heaven, however clear and 
unequivocal, was allowed in the primitive church to 
dispense with these sacred forms of ordination. " — 
A. Campbell. 

The congregation having proved the abilities and 
order of Or- capacities to teach and rule in certain of 
dination. ^ s members, and tested their characters 
as approved by those within and without, and selected 
them from among their brethren to fill the offices to 
which they have been called, appoints a day for their 
formal ordination to their respective offices, and for 
their solemn consecration to this special service in 
the Lord. 

The following outline of ordination ceremonies may 
Outline of be used at the ordination of evangelists, 
services. elders or deacons : 



36 THE CHRISTIAN 

1. A sermon suitable to the occasion may be 
preached by some preacher chosen for the purpose. 

2. A brief statement by the presiding officer to the 
church as follows : 

We have met to-day to ordain a. b. as a minister 
of the word (or elder or deacon, as the case may be). 
I submit to this meeting the following evidences of 
the fitness of this brother, (or these brethren) for the 
position (or positions) to which he (or they) has 
been chosen. (Here state the previous action of the 
church, (or churches if an evangelist) in "looking out 
from among them" this person (or persons) for the 
special service of the church. Now if there is a mem- 
ber here, who knows a reason why this ordination 
should not now take place, let him here and now give 
such reason or forever after hold his peace. 

3. The candidates for ordination are invited to 
take seats provided for them in front of the congre- 
gation. 

Do you still desire, and is it your wish that these 
Question to brethren (name them one by one) shall be 
gation° ngre " ordained as the unanimously chosen officers 
of this congregation ? And do you acknowledge them 
as having full ecclesiastical authority to officiate 
for you in the office to which you have chosen them ? 
(The congregation should rise in token of its assent.) 
Questions to Before ordination, the following questions 
the candidate, should be asked of the candidate. 

(a.) a. b. Is it your desire to preach the word of 
God ? Answer. It is. 

Do you promise before God and this congregation, 
that you will study to show thyself approved unto 



ministers' manual. 37 

God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, 
rightly dividing the word of truth ? Ansiver. I do. 

Do you promise that you will exercise the office, 
with which you are hereby invested in the name of 
the Lord, according to the true intent and meaning of 
the new institution as you shall give account to God 
at his glorious appearing and kingdom, and preach the 
w 7 ord, be instant in season, out of season; that you 
will reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all long-suffer- 
ing and doctrine ; that you will not shun to declare 
the whole counsel of God; and that you will keep 
yourself pure, watch in all things, endure afflictions, 
do the work of an evangelist, and make full proof of 
thy ministry ? Answer. By the grace of God I will 
so endeavor to live, and to do. 

(6.) c. d. Do you desire the work of an elder? 
Ansiver. I do. 

Do you accept it willingly, and will you strive to 
be blameless, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, hos- 
pitable, apt to teach, taking heed to yourself and the 
flock in the which the Holy Spirit hath made you 
overseer. Answer. By the grace of God I will. 

(c) e. f. Is it your desire to accept the work of a 
deacon? Answer. It is. 

Will you assume the duties of this office according 
to the word of God and strive to live in all gravity 
and sincerity before God and before men ? Answer. 
I will. 

4. Prayer before ordination. 

5. The candidates then kneel, and two or three 
Laying on of evangelists or elders join in putting hands 
Hands. on foe head of the candidate, one of them 
saying : 



38 THE CHRISTIAN 

(a) A. b. We do hereby ordain you to the solemn 
and responsible work of the ministry of God's word» 
At your own request, and by the approval of the 
church, you are hereby set apart to preach the word 
and to do the work of an evangelist. May God give 
you wisdom to make " full proof of thy ministry. " 

(b) c. d. By your own willing consent and desire, 
and by the unanimous voice of this church 5 you are 
hereby ordained to the office of elder in this church. 
May God give you wisdom to "rule well" and to 
" feed the church of God which he purchased with 
his own blood." 

(c) E. f. We do also ordain you to the office and 
work of deacon in this church. May the Lord give 
you wisdom to use the office well that you may 
purchase to yourself a good degree, and great boldness 
in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. Amen ! 

6. Prayer after the ordination specially for the con- 
didates by one of the ministers participating in the 
service. 

7. This may be followed by a brief address or 
charge to the candidate, that he may realize his 
responsibility, and with all diligence and fidelity to 
the Lord, and with all humility of mind, and affec- 
tionate concern for the brethren, exercise the office 
with which he has been invested by the cordial and 
unanimous choice of the church. 

8. In like manner the church may be addressed 
by one of the ministers present, charging them to 
remember them whom they have chosen to rule over 
them, or to speak the word of God to them " and con- 
sidering the issue of their life, imitate their faith." 

9. Song and Benediction. 



ministers' manual. 39 

business meetings. 

No church is well organized or in good working 
General Busi- or( ^ er unless it has its regular business 

ness Meetings, meetings. 

These are of two kinds : General and Official. 

The general business meeting of the church should 
be held annually at a regular time agreed upon, either 
the last of December or the first of January. It should 
be duly announced, and all the members urged to at- 
tend it. General meetings for business may he held 
as special reasons exist for calling them. 

The object of the annual business meeting of the 
Object of church is two-fold: 

nhurch^feet- 1- ^ * s to learn, through the reports 
mg - made by its various officers and servants, 

of the exact condition of the church in all its various 
departments. 

2. It is to take such congregational action as may 
be deemed necessary and wise for the good of the 
church. 

The clerk of the church should present clearly and 
TheReportof distinctly the minutes of the previous an- 

the Church , * . . , , * .. ,. 

cierk. nual meeting, or any special church meeting 

which may have been called, why it was called, what 
was done, etc. He should give the number of the offi- 
cers* meetings held during the year, when they were 
held, and the important action taken. He should give 
the exact condition of the church register, the number 
received into membership during the year and how, the 
number dismissed during the year, how and why, and 
the number at present on the roll. He should state 



40 THE CHRISTIAN 

whether the church has held a protracted meeting or 
not, and the results; if any officers have been chosen, 
who they are and to what office, and anything else 
which may have been considered w r orthy of record 
during the year. 

This report should be made by the chairman of the 
TheReportof Board of Trustees, and should be a clear 
the Trustees, statement of the condition of the church 
property, together with any recommendation that they 
may think necessary for the church to consider. 

The treasurer should not simply report a summary 
TheReportof of the amount in the treasury at the be- 
the Treasurer. gi nn i n g f th e year, the receipts during 
the year, and the expenses, with a statement of sur- 
plus or deficit ; but he should present a balance sheet, 
giving in detail from whom money has been received, 
and in detail for what it has been expended, and 
showing the exact condition of the finances to date of 
settlement. 

This report, with all other reports concerning the 
finances of the church, should be referred to a com- 
mittee of unofficial brethren for examination and 
audit. 

This report should state the financial condition of 
TheReportof the church in general, and also make such 
the Deacons. rec0 mmendations as may, in the judgment 
of the deacons, be necessary in order to the raising of 
money for special or ordinary expenses of the church. 
It should also give the necessities of the poor, the in- 
firm and the sick in the church, and when and how 
they have been aided during the year, and whether 
help is *ny longer needed or not. 



ministers' manual. 41 

The report of the Sunday school Superintendent 
Repor- of should give the full statistics of the school 
schoofsu- f° r the year, with such requests and recom- 
perintendent. mendations as in his judgment the church 
ought to hear. 

The elders should prepare a report, setting forth 
Report of the clearly and faithfully the moral and spirit- 
Eiders. ua } con( jition of the church. This should 
be a real pastoral address, and when properly pre- 
pared and presented, showing thereby that the elders 
have indeed exercised a vigilant and faithful watch- 
care over the congregation, and have not simply been 
figure-heads of no value, but rather a detriment or 
open disgrace, the value of such a report upon the 
church will be untold and incalculable. 

The reason why so many elders have not respect 
shown to them is because they do not deserve it. 

While the annual business meeting should be pre- 
sided over by one of the elders, or other 
person who may be chosen because of his 
fitness to preside ; and while the business should be 
conducted in the best of order, still there should be 
given the utmost freedom, consistent with good order, 
for the members generally to express themselves with 
reference to any matters which may concern the inter- 
ests of the church in regard to either methods of work, 
or the work itself. 

These meetings have been already described, but 
The official their importance is emphasized by this 
Meetings. second reference to them. They are neces- 
sary to the vigorous life and healthy growth of the 
congregation. In them every important matter ^hould 



42 THE CHRISTIAN 

be carefully and thoroughly canvassed, and a unani- 
mous decision reached by the officers before presenta- 
tion to the church. With this precaution, nearly 
every difficulty — if not every one — which threatens 
the harmony and prosperity of the church may be 
satisfactorily adjusted or avoided. 

CHURCH LETTERS. 

A church letter of commendation or dismissal ought 
to state the facts and tell the truth concerning the 
member who receives it. Usually, however, the same 
general form will answer for nearly all the members 
of the congregation. In its form, a church letter is 
Form of a gen- quite largely a matter of taste. The fol- 

eral Church! . « . -. .. , ., , 

Letter. lowing form is used quite extensively, and 

is a good one : 

THE CHURCH OF CHRIST, 

At ; . 

To the Church of Christ, wherever this may come, Greet- 
ing: 

THIS IS TO CERTIFY 

That the bearer, , is a member with 

us, in good standing and full fellowship, and as such 

we cordially commend to your Christian love 

and oversight. 

By order of the Church, this day of , 

188 

; ; Clerk. 



ministers' manual. 43 

a statement When it is necessary to state special facts, 

of Special ., « ,, , „ 

Facts the following is a good form : 

To the Church of Christ at , Greeting: 

The bearer of this letter, , united 

with the Church of Christ at in the 

year 188 For one year or more his deportment 

was such as became the gospel of Christ. He then re- 
moved from this neighborhood, and we have learned— 
[Here state the facts learned]. We commend him 
only so far as his life among us gave us an opportunity 
to know of his character and conduct. 
Yours respectfully, 



By .Clerk. 

188 



• >- Elders. 



VII. 



DIFFICULTIES AND THEIR MANAGEMENT. 



A wiser than Solomon has said: " It is impossible 
occasions of but that occasions for stumbling should 

Stumbling. come> Take heed tQ yourse l veg . if t hy 

brother sin, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive 
him." Luke xvii : 1-4. 

It is not possible to wholly avoid misunderstandings 
and difficulties. Usually, however, these may be 
cleared away and settled without any public notice or 
investigation. Where the things are studied which 
make for peace by the membership, and where the 
settlements spirit of Christ thoroughly prevails there 
pH^ate^f will b e but little use for extreme or elabo- 
possibie. ra t e m ethods of settlement. 

If the instructions already given concerning the 
management of the church are followed, there will be 
rarely an occasion for public reproof or discipline. 

In cases involving the actions simply of an individ- 
ual, the elders make investigation as a 

Public action. , , -.. -. n ■, . • t A 

church grand jury and find a true indict- 
ment against the offender. When the offending mem- 

44 



THE CHRISTIAN MINISTERS' MANUAL. 45 

ber is charged with it he usually pleads guilty, but 
will not promise to reform. I" he elders having exam- 
ined the case thoroughly, decide that the hand of fel- 
Endorsement lowship should be withdrawn from the 
of officers^ offender. This action is endorsed by the 
Board of Officers at their next regular meeting. 

At a subsequent public meeting of the church one 
of the elders should make substantially the following 
statement : 

Brethren: It gives me great sorrow to bring to you 
statement of the statement which I am now authorized 
the church. by the full Board of Officers to make. The 
elders have used every proper endeavor to restore 
Bro. A. to Christian life and purity. He has been 
repeatedly visited and admonished with tears. He 
refuses to hear the word of God or to regard the 
wishes of his brethren. Therefore, at the last meet- 
ing of the officers of the church the following resolu- 
tion was unanimously adopted : 

Resolved, That we recommend to' the church to with- 
Resolution to draw the hand of fellowship from Bro. A. on 
landonM- account of— [Here state the charge in 
lowship. full -j i Thig charge he freely a d m its. Now, 

if any member here knows any reason why the hand 
of fellowship should not be withdrawn from Bro. A. 
let him make such reason known to any one of the 
officers before the next officers' meeting. And, if at 
that time no reasons have been given against the 
action, the clerk will be directed to enter upon the 
records that the church has unanimously approved 
of this recommendation. Let us pray. 



46 THE CHRISTIAN 

If reasons are assigned why this action should not 
tx„ ^ be taken, the officers should consider them 

How to pro- 7 

ceedif objec- a t their next meeting. If the reasons are 

tions are , ° 

made. sufficient, in their judgment, to justify 

delay, they should so state at the next public meeting 
of the church. If not sufficient, in their judgment, 
they should so state, giving the reasons, and ask the 
church to endorse their recommendation to withdraw 
fellowship. If, after delay, the member makes con- 
fession of his faults and promises reformation, the fact 
should be stated to the public meeting in his presence, 
followed by an earnest prayer in his behalf. 

There aie cases where the elders are expected to sit 
where the ae- as a jury and judge, and bring in a verdict 

cused dp rigs 

the charge and sentence according to the testimony 
tions. peci ca and the law of the Lord. For this reason 
the elders should not allow themselves to become in- 
volved in such cases ; but if they have, in the ordinary 
work of the eldership, learned so much about the case 
as that they might not be strictly impartial in hearing 
and deciding, they ought not to sit on the case, espe- 
cially if the accused denies the charge and specifica- 
How to form tions. In such cases they should join with 
to C hef^ttie *ke accused in selecting from the member- 
case, gj^p cer tain persons to hear and decide the 
matters at issue. If there are no members who are 
competent to this duty, a selection should be made 
from neighboring churches. 

It may be found that the latter way is the only wise 
way : for the parties to the trouble may lack confi- 
dence in either the elders or the membership to decide 
the case ; or some of the elders may have been in- 



ministers' manual. 47 

volved in the trouble ; or the church members may- 
have taken sides on the question ; or the elders and 
Calling a the church members may be too near the 

council from ,.«» ,, .. ... T i ., • 

abroad. difficulty to see it as it is. In such cases it is 

always wisdom to invite such a committee from abroad 
as will meet the wishes of all parties in the case. The 
elders should so state the case to the church, and get 
its consent to send for such a committee. The church 
should agree to be guided by its counsel. The parties 
should agree in writing to abide the decision of this 
committee. 

The committee or council called from abroad, when 
How the com- it comes to hear the case, should organize 

mittee should . . i -i -i 

be organized, by choosing a chairman and clerk. 

If there are charges and specifications, they should 
be presented to the committee in writing, and signed 
by both the parties at issue. 

The committee should require the parties at issue to 
How to pro- sign an agreement that they would abide 

ceed with the , ■* 1 

case. their decision. 

The usual rules for the examination of witnesses 
should govern in the investigation. 

If possible the sessions of the committee should be 
private, none being allowed to be present except the 
parties and the necessary witnesses, and w r here prac- 
ticable the witnesses should not be allowed to testify 
before the other witnesses. 

Each side may be represented by counsel who also 
may conduct the examination of witnesses. 

The greatest freedom should be allowed to each side 
in the statement of its case ; but good order, of course 
will be maintained by the committee at all times. 



48 THE CHRISTIAN 

When the testimony is in, to the satisfaction of both 
sides, and the case is placed in the hands of the com- 
mittee, they should dismiss the parties and proceed 
to make up their decision. 

what the re- The report and decision of the commit- 
committe tee should be full and explicit, embrac- 

should e m- . ,-, * n . i •, 

brace. mg the following heads : 

1. A brief statement of their reasons for hearing 
the case. 

2. The question or questions in dispute, as pre- 
sented by the parties at issue. 

3. The agreement of both parties to abide their 
decision. 

4. The names of the witnesses called and exam- 
ined, and the testimony they gave. 

5. That both parties were satisfied with the exam- 
ination of witnesses. 

6. The findings. 

7. The recomendations. 

All these points, and especially the findings and 
Necessity of recommendations should be clothed in lan- 

Clear state- tiix • -l* tx 

merits. g^ a g e n °t liable to misconstruction, it 

often occurs that efforts to settle difficulties by the 
presence and decision of a mutually chosen committee 
fail, because the committee fail to be full and explicit 
in their findings and iecommendations. 

It is always better to so manage a church, as that 
such a committee as described shall not be 

Remarks. , , . . tl 

necessary ; but n it becomes necessary, 
then the greatest care should be taken in the formation 
of the committee. 



ministers' manual. 49 

If the case is one of great prominence, and impor- 
tance, such as an investigation into the conduct of 
an evangelist, or preacher, or elder, those who serve 
on the committee should be men of well-known reputa- 
tion for wisdom and justice, whose decision will have 
weight when it is given and wherever it is known. 

In some cases which ordinarily would be decided by 
the elders, it would be wise in them to submit them to 
a committee outside of the church, for which they 
officiate, selected by themselves and the other party. 

It is believed that these rules are sufficient for the 
guidance of those interested and concerned. 

QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS. 

There are two classes of questions which arise in 
Two kinds of the management of a church : 
questions. j Those which can be settled by the ap- 

plication of general principles of order and discipline. 

2. Those which require special treatment. 

The following questions and answers will illustrate 
the two classes of questions. 

If a man puts his wife away for fornication and marries a 
sister in Christ, will she, thus marrying, in the light of 
God's holy word, commit adultery ? 

If the crime was proved, and a divorce obtained on 
that ground, the man is at liberty to marry again, and 
the woman marrying him is free from the imputation 
of adultery in doing so. It is the one exception to 
the rule forbidding married persons to enter into a 
new marriage contract (Matt, v: 32), and the only 
scriptural ground of divorce. 



50 THE CHRISTIAN 

For the past year our congregation has on Lord's day- 
mornings attended to the "Supper" exercises before preach- 
ing, and while most of the brethren think it conducive to 
good order and impressiveness, one or two brethren seem to 
think that our practice is un scriptural as regards the time 
for the observance of the Lord's Supper. 

The New Testament settles nothing as to the order 
in which the different services are to succeed each 
other. This must be settled by the church and its 
rulers, in view of all the circumstances of the church. 
The primitive churches met to break bread when 
they had no preaching ; and in Corinth, where there 
were inspired prophets and interpreters (I. Cor. xiv.), 
they came together to eat the Lord's Supper as one of 
the distinct objects of assembling; but whether the 
supper was first observed, before the prophesyings 
and exhortations, we are not informed. There ought, 
therefore, to be no difficulty, so far as scriptural 
authority is concerned. 

As a general rule, we are in favor of the observance 
of the Lord's Supper before preaching. It can be 
observed with more deliberation. There is no un- 
seemly haste required — none of the disturbance and 
distraction of mind occasioned by the lateness of the 
hour and the desire to get away, which those who 
have household duties to perform are apt to experi- 
ence after the hour of noon has passed. But this each 
church must decide for itself, and we do not see how, 
on scriptural grounds, any one can insist on any par- 
ticular time. 

For several reasons, we should prefer to have a 
special meeting for the breaking of bread, when the 



ministers' manual. 51 

disciples could come together for this one purpose. 
But, in the scattered condition of the membership, 
alike in city and country, this does not seem to be 
practicable. 

Will you please give your views as to the scripture teach- 
ing of the qualifications of an elder — in one particular, i. e., 
whether or not he shall be a married man, or will his being 
unmarried disqualify him ? 

According to the teaching of Paul to Timothy and 
Titus, the bishop must be a married man. The rea- 
son given is, that he must have proved his capacity 
to rule in his own family before he can be regarded as 
competent to rule in the house of God. This is suffi- 
cient. But there are other reasons that will readily 
suggest themselves in support of this one, especially 
this : An unmarried man is uneducated in many 
things which it is essential he should know in order 
to deal with many questions and many cases that will 
come before him. 

In an organized congregation, where there are elders, 
bishops and deacons, and also ministers who labor in word 
and doctrine, who is charged to feed, to overlook, to take 
care and rule the flock ? 

In a properly organized church, the elders or 
bishops are the rulers and teachers. See Acts xx : 17, 
28 ; I. Tim. iii : 2-5 ; Tit. i : 9-11 ; I. Pet. v : 1-4 ; I. 
Tim. v : 17. It does not follow that they are to do all 
the teaching themselves, but, being rulers as w r ell as 
teachers, any others w 7 ho teach should do so at their 
suggestion. It is only when a church is not properly 
organized that it is proper for an evangelist, or minis- 



52 

ter of the word outside of the eldership, to take charge 
of the teaching. 

Is it right for a member of the Christian Church to call 
on a Baptist preacher to marry him while it is possible for 
him to have a Christian preacher perform the same duty? 
Is it not disrespectful to the Christian Church to act in this 
way ? 

The New Testament teaches nothing on this subject. 
While, as a rule, brotherly courtesy would require 
that a Christian brother should be preferred to per- 
form the ceremony, circumstances may justify an 
exception to this rule. The conventional usage is, to 
respect the bride's choice in this matter. But, apart 
from this, personal friendship may properly dictate 
the selection. If the selection is made to show disre- 
spect to one's own brethren, it is censurable ; but it is 
best to allow persons to make their own choice, and 
wise on the part of others not to meddle in matters 
that do not belong to them. 

Does the apostle mean that women must not speak in the 
social meeting when he says : (I. Cor. xiv : 34-35.) "Let the 
women keep silence in the churches, etc ?" 

No! 



VIII. 



MINISTERS OF THE GOSPEL AND THEIR DUTIES. 



Preaching does not mean simply pulpit work. He 

who goes into a community, goes to hunt 

preacher of U p the " lost sheep" and to guard the 

the word of f -,.,-,/ i . i 

God. ninety and nine that have never strayed; 

who visits and talks with them, man by man, and 
household by household, making himself literally a 
shepherd — that man is a true preacher in the highest 
and best sense of that term. 

Of the different figures used in Scripture to describe 
The minis- ^ ne ministerial office, none is more beauti- 
ter's office. f u i than that which is compared to the 
peaceful, but laborious calling of the shepherd. The 
Holy Spirit frequently employs this figure of a 
" flock/' when speaking of the Church of God. Men 
are described not merely as " sheep," but as "sheep" 
that "have gone astray;" and the Son of God is 
spoken of as the "great shepherd of the sheep," "the 
good shepherd," "the shepherd and bishop of souls," 
who counted not his life too dear a price to pay for 

the recovery of his flock. 

J 53 



54 THE CHRISTIAN 

But this Almighty Shepherd is now in heaven, 
Men who are while his sheep are still upon the earth ; 
herds o^fhe an( * though he could feed them from thence 
flock - as easily as if he were still going in and out 

among them in person, yet he is pleased to employ 
men to act the shepherd's part, and take charge of 
his beloved flock. This, then, is the office of the 
Christian pastor. He is an under-shepherd, and 
responsible to Christ, the Chief-Shepherd. It is a 
solemn and dignified office. 

The Christian pastor's commission is not of man ; 
for while the ceremonial of the church accredits, it is 
the " anointing of the spirit " that designates. 

The elders of the primitive church were its divinely 
Pastors in accredited, qualified and commissioned 
church 211 ^ pastors, or shepherds. The elders of the 
modern church ought to be its shepherds now ; but 
how frequently are they found to be the veriest 
obstructions to all Christian growth and activity, in- 
competent, stubborn, noisy, and in character utterly 
powerless for good. Why this is so, let those who 
have minds to consider, consider. 

The duties of the Christian pastor belong to "the 
The Chris- very foundations and roots of human life." 
Duties. By his ministry he is brought into contact 

with whatsoever is serious and important. He is a 
messenger, a watchman, a steward of the Lord. He 
is " to teach and to premonish, to feed and provide 
for the Lord's family ; to seek for Christ's sheep that 
are dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in 
the midst of this naughty world that they may be 
saved through Christ forever." 



ministers' manual. 55 

Happy is the Christian pastor if he is kept from that 
cold, calculating, carnal spirit that would 

The happy 

Pastor. feed the flock of God only for the sake of 

the shekels. 

Happy is he if he is preserved from the woe which 
was pronounced against the shepherds of Israel ; that 
did feed themselves instead of the flock : "Ye eat the 
fat, and clothe you with the wool ; ye kill them that 
are fed, but ye feed not the flock. " 

Happy is he if while one by one his children pass be- 
fore him to their endless rest, he looks for sure reunion, 
when they shall be his "joy and crown " forever. 

While preaching is not wholly pulpit-work, still 
Public preach- pulpit-work, or public preaching, consti- 
th g e Castor ^s tutes a very important part of the pas- 
duties, tor's duties. Therefore a clear idea of 
what a sermon is and what it is for is essential to the 
highest success of the Christian pastor. "Apt to 
teach" is God's demand upon him who desires the 
office of the pastor because its work is a "good work," 
and he cannot teach with power who does not have, at 
least, a fair and clear knowledge of the methods he 
employs. 

Prof. Austin Phelps defines a sermon thus: "An 
Definition of ora l address to the popular mind, on relig- 
a sermon. ^ QUS truth contained in the Scriptures, and 
elaborately treated with a view to persuasion." 

This definition is comprehensive, and suggestive of 
the character of the food which the Christian pastor 
and preacher is to prepare. 

It is not the purpose of these pages to discuss the 
technical differences or agreements of the words bishop, 



56 THE CHRISTIAN 

elder or overseer and pastor. Each is a New Testa- 
ment word, and he who has no declared theory of 
The terms church organization or government to de- 
or Sh o?erfeer, r ^ en ^ or advocate may easily learn what 
and Pastor. q&qYl word means. That they do not mean 
identically the same thing, or cover identically the 
same ground, though possibly referring to parts or 
features of the same office, is as clear as that the sun, 
moon and stars are not the identically same bodies, 
though each has some relation to the great subject of 
light. 

But whatever may be his name, the suggestions 
which now follow are made for him who 
does the shepherd's part in watching, feed- 
ing, tending, and defending the flock of God. 

THE ORDINANCE OF BAPTISM. 

In his work, the Christian minister will be called 
upon to administer the ordinance of baptism to peni- 
tent believers in Jesus Christ. 

There are some needful preparations which should 
The Adminis- be made for its proper and efficient admin- 

trationofBap- . . . . 

tism. istration: 

1. Every congregation should provide a conven- 
ient and suitable baptistry. This baptistry may be 
in the house or not, but it should be convenient and 
suitable. 

2. Robes large and long enough to cover the entire 
person should be provided for men and women. These 
robes should be made of good material, and kept where 
they can be easily found. 



ministers' manual. 57 

3. Every congregation should have a " baptizing 
suit" for the administrator. 

4. The deacons and deaconesses of the church 
should be well instructed in their duties, in regard to 
the preparation of the candidates for baptism, and in 
the help they are expected to render in the adminis- 
tration of the ordinances. 

If these suggestions are observed, the often wretched 
and even offensive work done on the occa- 

Remarks. 

sions of public baptisms will be avoided, 
and the divine command will be obeyed, " Let all 
things be done decently and in order." 
The Admin- 1. The administrator of baptism should 
Baptism. ' thoroughly understand his business. 

2. He should be provided with suitable garments, 
so that his personal appearance may not attract atten- 
tion from the ordinance itself. 

3. He should be calm and thoughtful, and thor- 
oughly determined that the administration of the 
ordinance shall add to its power, and beauty, and 
solemnity. 

As no formula of baptism is given in the New Tes- 
TheBaptismai tament, ministers are left free to choose 
Formula. ft\&t form which corresponds most nearly 
with their ideas of its proper administration. 
Baptismal The following forms are given as appro- 
Formulas. p r i a te : 

1. Upon confession of your faith in Jesus the Christ, and 
by his authority, I baptize you into the name of the lather, 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

2. By the authority of Jesus the Christ, you are baptized 
into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
Holy Spirit. Amen. 



58 THE CHRISTIAN 

3. In the name of Jesus the Christ, and upon profession 
of your faith in him, you are baptized into the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 

4. By the authority of the Great Head of the Church, 
and upon profession of your faith in him, I baptize you into 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Spirit, Amen. 

THE LORD'S SUPPEE. 



And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the apos- 
When it was ties with him. And he said unto them, With 
instituted. desire I have desired to eat this passover with 
you before I suffer : for I say unto you, I will not eat it, until 
it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he received a 
cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and 
divide it among yourselves : for I say unto you, I will not 
drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the 
kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and when 
he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, 
This is my body which is given for you : this do in remem- 
brance of me. And the cup in like manner after supper, 
saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that 
which is poured out for you. Luke xxii : 14-20. 

For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto 
Wh th Dis i ^ ou? ^ ow ^at tne ^ord Jesus in the night in 
pies of Christ which he was betrayed took bread ; and when 
observe it. ^e had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This 
is my body, which is for you : this do in remembrance of me. 
In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup 
is the new covenant in my blood : this do, as oft as ye drink 
it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, 
and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord's death till he 
come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the 
cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and 
the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself, and so 
let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. For he that 



ministers' manual. 59 

eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto 
himself, if he discern not the body. For this cause many 
among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. I. 
Cor. ii : 23-26. 

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion 
of the body of Christ ? seeing that we who are many are one 
bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread. I. 
Cor. x : 16, 17. 

Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even 
as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sac- 
rificed, even Christ : wherefore let us keep the feast, not with 
old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wicked- 
ness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 
I.Cor.v: 7,8. 

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of 
devils : ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord and of 
the table of devils. I. Cor, x : 21. 

The emblems having been properly prepared, and 
How to prop- the table neatly spread, the disciples should 
it. * be seated as near together as practicable. 

This is for the sake of good order and convenience. 
The conduct of all the disciples during the service 
should be that which becometh saints, and those who 
feel their helplessness and dependence upon their 
divine Savior. 

A long address before the breaking of bread is not 
necessary ; nor is it usually either desirable, or in 
good taste or profitable. 

An appropriate Scripture lesson, like those already 
indicated, may be read by him who presides at the 
table. The prayer and thanksgiving which precede 
the distribution of the emblems should be appropriate, 



60 THE CHKISTIAN 

and bear upon the great sacrifice and the great salva- 
tion provided by the Lord. 

The following are suggested as suitable forms 
Forms of for thanksgiving at the communion ser- 

Thanksgiv- 

ing. vice : 

1. Merciful Heavenly Father, we thank thee for thy good- 
ness and thy faithfulness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

We do not presume to come to this thy table trusting in 
our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mer- 
cies. Wilt thou refresh and comfort thy people while they 
meditate upon a bleeding Savior. May this great sacrifice 
represented to us in this broken bread and wine strengthen 
our faith, encourage us in the practice of good works, give 
us victory over our sins, and perfect us in charity, patience, 
humility, obedience, and all other virtues. 

We ask all for Christ's sake. Amen. 

2. Our Heavenly Father, we look to thee as the source of 
all our strength. Thou dost give us food day by day, and 
thou dost furnish to us the Bread of Life upon which our 
souls may feed and live forever. 

While we contemplate the greatness of the suffering and 
sorrow of our Savior for us, may we be willing to suffer on 
behalf of thy cause as well as to believe on thee ; knowing 
that if we suffer for thee we shall also reign with thee. 

Let this cup of blessing which we bless, be to us the com- 
munion of the blood of Christ ; let the bread which we break 
be the communion of the body of Christ. 

O that we may bear about with us continually the dying of 
the Lord Jesus, so that the life also of Jesus may be mani- 
fested in our mortal body. And as the heart pants after the 
water-brooks, so may we thirst for the water of life flowing 
from the cleft rock, Jesus Christ, to slake the thirst and re- 
fresh the strength of pilgrims, journeying through a wilder- 
ness world to a land of eternal rest. 

We pray through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 



ministers' manual. 61 

The benediction at the close of a religious service is 
The Benedic- always proper. As to their form the Apos- 
cioseof a*re- tolic benedictions will usually give a suffi- 
%ious ser- c j en {. var i e ty to meet all demands. 

1. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 
Forms of Amen. Romans, xvi : 20. 

Benedictions. 2 . The grace of onr Lord Jesus Christ be 
with you. Amen. I. Cor., xvi : 23. 

3. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of 
God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you 
all. Amen. II. Cor., xiii : 14. 

4. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from 
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with 
all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in uncorruptness. 
Amen. Eph. vi: 23, 24. 

5. Now the God of peace, who brought again from the dead 
the great shepherd of the sheep with the ^lood of the eter- 
nal covenant, even our Lord Jesus, make you perfect in every 
good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well, 
pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to whom be the 
glory forever and ever. Amen. Heb. xiii : 20, 21. 

6. Grace, mercy, and peace abound to you, and the whole 
Israel of God throughout the world, through our Lord Jesus 
Christ. Amen. 

7. Grace be with us all, enabling us, by faith, to receive 
the great salvation, and ever pray and labor for its diffusion 
till it is made known to the ends of the earth. Amen. 

THE SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. 

" The Lord God said, it is not good that man should be 
alone. I will make him an helpmeet for hinic And the Lord 
The institu- ^ 0( * cause d » deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and 
tion of Mar- he slept ; and he took one of his ribs and closed 
nage. u ^ ^ e flesh instead thereof. And the rib which 

the Lord God had taken from man made he a woman, and 
brought her unto the man. 



62 THE CHRISTIAN 

And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones and flesh 
of my flesh ; she shall be called Woman because she was 
taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father 
and his mother and cleave to his wife." Gen. ii : 18, 21, 22, 
23, 24. 

Have ye not read, that he which made them from the 
beginning made them male and female, and said, For this 
cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall 
cleave to his wife; and the twain shall become one flesh? 
So that they are no more twain, but one flesh. What there- 
fore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 
Matthew xix : 4, 6. 

Let marriage be had in honor among all, and let the bed be 
Marriage undefiled : for fornicators and adulterers God 

honorable. w T ill judge. Heb. xiii : 4. 

Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth 
favor from the Lord. Prov. xviii : 22. 

And this have ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord 

with tears, with weeping and with crying out, 

o/°the g most insomuch that he regardeth not the offering 

sacred charac- an y more, or receiveth it with good will at your 

hand. 

Yet, ye say, wherefore ? Because the Lord hath been wit- 
ness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom 
thou hast dealt treacherously. Yet is she thy companion, 
and the wife of thy covenant. 

And did not he make one ? Yet had he the residue of the 
spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly 
seed. Therefore, take heed to your spirit, and let none deal 
treacherously against the wife of his youth. Malachi ii : 
13-15. 



MARRIAGE CEREMONIES. 

The institution of marriage is co-eval with the family 
of man. Our Creator himself is its author, 
and it is subject to the directions and sane- 



ministers' manual. 63 

tions of his laws. He saw that it was not good for man 
Address to *° be alone, even in Paradise ; and formed 
the Parties. an( j g ave h^ W oman for his companionship 
and solace, in a union so intimate and tender that they 
are regarded as " no more twain but one flesh." 

This union, like that of the body and the spirit, is 
to be broken only by the hand of death. It is a rela- 
tion, therefore, not to be lightly or hastily entered. 
A congeniality of mind, a mutual esteem, and an 
affection w r hich transcends every other earthly love, 
are indispensable to the happiness which the relation 
is designed to impart. 

In the Sacred Scriptures, which are the lamp for 
your path in every other relation, you will find the 
directions which you need in this; and which, if 
strictly and cheerfully obeyed, w T ill continue to give 
freshness and vigor to your joys when youth and 
beauty shall have passed away. Deeming it sufficient 
on this occasion to refer you to their instructions con- 
cerning the duties you will henceforth owe to each 
other, I will proceed to receive your plighted faith, 
and seal your marriage vow. You will please take 
each other by the right hand. 

Do you, a. b., take the lady whose right hand you 
now hold, to be your lawful, wedded wife, promising in 
the presence of God and of these witnesses, 
that you will keep her in health and in sick- 
ness ; in prosperity and in adversity ; that you will be 
to her a kind, affectionate and faithful husband; and 
that forsaking all others, you will keep yourself to 
her and to her only, till death shall separate you? 



64 THE CHRISTIAN 

Do you, b. c.j take the gentleman whose right hand 
you now hold, to be your lawful, wedded husband, 
To the wo- promising, in like manner, in the presence 
maru of God and these witnesses, that you will 

continue with him in health and in sickness ; in pros- 
perity and in adversity ; that you will be to him a 
kind, affectionate and dutiful wife ; and that forsak- 
ing all others, you will keep yourself to him, and to 
him only till death shall separate you. 

I do then, in virtue of the authority committed to 
To the man me as a minister of the gospel by the laws 
and woman, of this State, pronounce you, Husband and 
Wife; henceforth in interests and destiny, as in affec- 
tion ONE. 

A brief prayer. [See page 68.] 

Form 11. The marriage institution is as old as the 

human family, and it is authorized, and guarded, 
Remarks by both by divine and civil law. It is pointed 
ing Minister! out alike by the word of God, and the re- 
lations and experience of our race, as eminently con- 
ducive to human happiness. It is especially fraught 
with beneficent designs to the parties seeking its hon- 
orable association ; and those entering upon this inti- 
mate and endearing union with congenial dispositions, 
and mutual affections find it replete with blessings. 

It is also the source of the purity and permanency 
of domestic, social and civil institutions. Wherever 
it has been dishonored, the fountains of domestic 
affection have flowed with the mingled and bitter 
waters of jealousy, alienation and strife; the education 
and happiness of the rising generation have been 



ministers' manual. 65 

neglected; the sanctions of private and public im- 
paired ; and the strong bonds of society sundered. 

In the relations of this institution, you are about 
to become one in your temporal interests and desti- 
nies. In token therefore of a due consideration of 
the laws of the marriage state, and of your mutual and 
decided choice of each other as partners for life, you 
will please to unite your right hands. 

You now solemnly promise before God and these 
witnesses to take this woman to be your 
lawful, wedded wife ; to love and respect 
her; to defend, support and cherish her, in health 
and in sickness ; in prosperity and in adversity ; and 
leaving all others to cleave only to her, so long as you 
both shall live. 

You in like manner solemnly promise to receive 
To the wo- ^is man as your lawful, wedded husband; 
man * to love, respect and obey him, and leaving 

all others to cleave only to him, so long as you both 
shall live. 

By virtue of the authority vested in me as a minis- 
To the man ter °f the gospel, I pronounce you Hus- 
and woman. band and Wi j e . a nd what God has joined 
together, let not man put asunder. 

A brief prayer. [See page 68.] 

Form in. The marriage relation is one both of 

natural and scriptural appointment. 

It has been authorized and guarded under all forms 

Remarks. of civil government, and every dispensa- 

, tion of religion. Its nature and duties, are set forth, 



66 THE CHRISTIAN 

and its ^beneficent designs commended in the scrip- 
tures. 

Read the scriptures. [See pages 61-62.] 

In token of your due consideration of the nature of 
To the par- the obligations of the marriage relation as 
ties. ^.] 111S p i n ted out, and of your mutual and 

decided choice of each other, as partners for life ; you 
will please to join your right hands. 

You hereby promise before Almighty God and these 
witnesses, to receive each other as husband and wife ; 
and to practice with mutual fidelity all those offices of 
affection and kindness which God has enjoined upon 
those united in this relation. 

Agreeably to the laws of this State, and the laws of 
God, I pronounce you Husband and Wife; and what 
God has joined together let not man put asunder. 

A brief prayer. [See page 68.] 

I hold in my hands a license to solemnize matri- 
Formiv. mony between a. b. and c. d. Marriage 
is the oldest institution in the world. When God 
Remarks by ma de man ^ e ma de them male and female. 
the Minister. 'ph e woman was created from the man's 
side, and placed at his side to indicate that she was to 
be neither his master nor his slave, but a helpmate 
for him. 

For this reason he was to forsake all kindred and 
cleave unto his wife, and they two were to be one 
flesh. 

God has given you in his book all the instructions 
concerning the new relationship into which you are 
about to enter. I, therefore, commend to you the 



MINISTERS 5 MANUAL. 67 

word of God, and especially the epistles of Paul as 
the guide of your lives. 

And, now, if before God and these witnesses, you do 
To the par- eac h °f y ou pledge to the other to live 
ties - together as husband and wife according to 

the word of God until death shall separate you, you 
will signify the same by joining your right hands. 

By virtue of the authority vested in me by the State 

of , as a minister of the gospel, I pronounce 

you lawfully married ; and what God has joined to- 
gether let not man put asunder. 

Prayer. [See page 68.] 

I am authorized by this license to solemnize the 
Form v. marriage contract between Mr. a. b. and 
Miss c. d. You have, doubtless, carefully considered 
Remarks bv ^is question, an d freely, and willingly 
the minister. h aV e plighted yourselves, the one to the 
other. I only remark that those who are united in 
the holy bonds of matrimony should pledge them- 
selves to each other for life, as husband and wife, to 
love, nourish, and cherish each other as such, and 
cleave to none other until death parts them. 

If you Mr. a. b. and Miss c. d. do thus solemnly 
To the par- pledge yourselves to each other, you will 
ties. join your right hands. 

By virtue of the authority vested in me by law, as a 
Minister of the Gospel, I pronounce you Husband 
and Wife. You are now legally and scripturally 
married and what is joined together by the appoint- 
ment of God let man not put asunder. 

Let us pray. 



68 THE CHRISTIAN 

And, now Lord, Our Heavenly Father, be pleased 
Prayer after to sanction and confirm with thy blessing 

the c e r e- 

mony. this solemn and important transaction. 

Grant to these persons now united in marriage, 
grace to be faithful always to the holy and blessed 
vow they have taken upon themselves. May they 
be ever faithful and affectionate to each other. In all 
times of prosperity and in all times of adversity, may 
they be sharers in each others joys, and sympathizers 
and supporters in each others sorrows. 

May thy grace dwell in their hearts, and may they 
be one in Christ now. And may thy divine and gra- 
cious blessing rest upon them through this life and 
unto life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
Amen. 

THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 

After death there comes, first of all, the preparation 

for the burial of the dead. The good Jeremy Taylor 

.. once said: " When we have received the 

Preparation 

for Burial, last breath of our friend, and closed his 
eyes, there is a time to weep and lament as he is 
worthy. Something is to be given to custom, some- 
thing to nature, and to civilities and to the honor of 
the deceased friend. When thou hast wept awhile, 
compose the body to burial ; which that it be done 
gravely, decently and charitably, we have the example 
of all nations to engage us, and of all ages of the world 
to warrant, so that it is against common honesty, and 
public fame and reputation, not to do this office. 

" It is good that the body be kept veiled and secret, 
and not exposed to curious eyes; or the dishonors 



ministers' manual. 69 

brought by the changes of death discerned and stared 
upon by impertinent persons. 

"Let the body be buried after the manner of the 
country, and the laws of the place, and the dignity of 
the person. For so Jacob was buried with great 
solemnity ; and Joseph's bones w r ere carried into Ca- 
naan ; and devout men carried Stephen to his burial, 
making great lamentation over him. 

" And so our Savior was pleased to admit the cost 
of Mary's ointment, because she did it for his burial. 
In this as in everything else, as our piety must not 
pass into superstition, or vain expense, so neither 
must the excess be turned into parsimony and impiety 
to the memory of the dead." 

The following excellent directions concerning 
funeral services are condensed from the " Young Pas- 
^ „ ... tor's Guide " by the late Rev. Enoch Pond, 

Duties of the J b ' 

Minister. D.D., and for many years Professor in the 
Theological Seminary at Bangor, Maine : 

1. A minister has no option ; he must attend them. 
speciaiDirec- They are matters in which his feelings, 

tions to Minis- .... n . . . ,, . -,, 

ters. duties and interests are equally involved. 

2. The mode of attending funerals is different in 
different places. But the services embrace always an 
address and a prayer. In the country they are often 
of more general importance than in town. 

3. The services, including hymns and Scripture, 
should be appropriate. Sameness and uniformity 
should be avoided as far as possible, but the peculiar- 
ities of the case must direct the minister how to adapt 
his services. 



70 THE CHRISTIAN 

4. The manner of the speaker should be sympa- 
thetic, subdued, tender and faithful. 

6. The services should be short, for there must be 
time to see the face, to attend the body to the grave, 
and to return. 

6. The true object of funeral addresses is not so 
much to eulogize the dead as to instruct, comfort and 
benefit the living. It may be proper to speak of the 
vices of the deceased, but only in the way of charity 
and kindness, if at all. 

7. Consolation can be drawn often from the charac- 
ter of the dead. Mourners are always partial friends, 
and they love to hear a kind word from their minister. 
But the minister must keep soberly within the truth. 

SCRIPTURAL SERVICES. 

There are no words like the words of God for those 
who sorrow and who desire to lay deep in their hearts 
The value of ^ e foundation of eternal hope ; for, in the 
God^iiTsor? beautiful language of Bishop Hall, " But 
row. for thee, Saviour, the gravestone, the 

earth, the coffin, are no bounders of thy dear re- 
spects ; even after death, and burial, and corruption, 
thou art graciously affected to those thou lovest." 

A SALUTATION. 

(Psalm xx.) 

The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble ; the name of 
Selections of the God of Jacob defend thee : send thee help 
iun P r U i e s f °- fr° m tne sanctuary and strengthen thee out of 
vices. Zion. 



ministers' manual. 71 

(John xi: 25, 26.) 
I am the resurrection and the life ; he that believeth in 
me, though he were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever 
liveth and believeth in me shall never die. 



WORDS OF COMFORT. 
(Psalm xxiii.) 

1 The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want. 

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ; he leadeth 
me beside the still waters. 

3 He restoreth' my soul : he leadeth me in the paths of 
righteousness for his name's sake. 

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow 
of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me ; thy rod 
and thy staff they comfort me. 

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of 
mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil ; my cup 
runneth over. 

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days" 
of my life ; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 



THE BREVITY OF LIFE. 
(Selections.) 

Lord make me to know mine end, and the measure of my 
days, what it is, that I may know how frail I am. 

Behold thou hast made my days as a hand-breadth and 
mine age is as nothing before thee. 

All our days are passed away in thy wrath ; we spend our 
years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are three- 
score years and ten ; and if by reason of strength they be 
four-score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow ; for 
it is soon cut off and we fly away. We are strangers before 
thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers ; our days on the 
earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding. 



72 THE CHRISTIAN 

Lord what is man that thou takest knowledge of him ? or 
the son of man that thou makest account of him ? Thou 
compasseth my path and my lying down, and art acquainted 
with all my ways. When I awake I am still with thee. 
Cause me to hear thy loving kindness in the morning, for in 
thee do I trust ; cause me to know the way wherein I should 
walk ; for I lift up my soul unto thee. So teach us to number 
our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. And 
let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish 
the work of our hands ; yea, the work of our hands establish 
thou it. Amen. 

I. SERVICES FOR A CHILD. 
(a) (Matthew xviii, 1-6.) 

1 At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, 
Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven ? 

2 And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in 
the midst of them, 

3 And said, Verily 1 say unto you, except ye be converted, 
Jesus and the an( ^ become as little children, ye shall not enter 
little children. i n t the kingdom of heaven. 

4 Whosoever, therefore, shall humble himself as this little 
child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 

5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my 
name, receiveth me. 

6 But, whoso shall offend one of these little ones which 
believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were 
hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the 
depth of the sea. 



(Matthew xix. : 13-15.) 

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that 
he should put his hands on them, and pray : and the disci- 
ples rebuked them. 



MANUAL. 73 

14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them 
not, to come unto me : for of such is the kingdom of heaven. 

15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence. 



(6) (I. Kings xvii. : 17-24.) 

17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of 

the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; 
theNvidow's and his sickness was so sore, that there was no 
child. breath left in him. 

18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, 
O thou man of God ? Art thou come unto me to call my sin 
to remembrance, and to slay my son ? 

19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took 
him out of her bosom and carried him up into a loft, where 
he abode, and laid him on his own bed. 

20 And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God 
hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I 
sojourn, by slaying her son ? 

21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, 
and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray 
thee, let this child's soul come into him again. 

22 And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah ; and the soul 
of the child came into him again, and he revived. 

23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him-down out 
of the chamber into the house and delivered him unto his 
mother; and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 

24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know 
that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord 
in thy mouth is truth. 



(c) II. Samuel xii: 15-23.) 

15 And Nathan departed unto his house. And the Lord 
David and struck the child that Uriah's wife bare unto 
child. d e a d David, and it was very sick. 



74 



THE CHRISTIAN 



16 David therefore besought God for the child ; and David 
fasted, and went in, and lay all night upon the earth. 

17 And the elders of his house arose, and went to him, to 
raise him up from the earth ; but he would not, neither did 
he eat bread with them. 

18 And it came to pass on the seventh day, that the child 
died. And the servants of David feared to tell him that the 
child was dead : for they said, Behold, while the child was 
yet alive, we spake unto him, and he would not hearken unto 
our voice : how will he then vex himself, if we tell him that 
the child is dead? 

19 But when David saw that his servants whispered, Da- 
vid perceived that the child was dead : therefore David said 
unto his servants, Is the child dead? And they said, He is 
dead. 

20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and 
anointed himself, and changed his apparel, and came into the 
house of the Lord, and worshipped : then he came to his 
own house ; and when he required, they set bread before him, 
and he did eat. 

21 Then said his servants unto him, What thing is this 
that thou hast done ? thou didst fast and weep for the child, 
while it was alive ; but when the child was dead, thou didst 
rise and-eat bread. 

22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted 
and wept : for I said, Who can tell whether God will be gra- 
cious to me that the child may live ? 

23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast ? can I 
bring him back again ? I shall go to him, but he shall not 
return to me. 



(d) (II. Kings iv: 18-37.) 



18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that 
he went out to his father to the reapers. 



ministers' manual. 75 

19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And 

a he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 
Elisha and ^ A _ ' ■ ' 

the Shunam- 20 And when he had taken him, and hrought 
mite's son. j^ m ^. Q ^-g mo ther, he sat on her knees till noon, 

and then died. 

21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man 
of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. 

22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I 
pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that 
I may run to the man of God, and come again. 

23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to-day? it 
is neither new moon, nor Sabbath. And she said, It shall 
be well. 

24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, 
and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid 
thee. 

25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount 
Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her 
afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is 
that Shunammite : 

26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, 
Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well 
with the child? And she answered, It is well. 

27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she 
caught him by the feet : but Gehazi came near to thrust her 
away. And the man of God said, Let her alone ; for her soul 
is vexed within her : and the Lord hath hid it from me, and 
hath not told me. 

28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord ? did I not 
say, Do not deceive me ? 

29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take 
my staff in thine hand, and go thy way : if thou meet any 
man, salute him not ; and if any salute thee, answer him not 
again : and lay my staff upon the face of the child. 

30 And the mother of the child said, As the Lord liveth, 
and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, 
and followed her. 



76 THE CHRISTIAN 

31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff 
upon the face of the child ; but there was neither voice, nor 
hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told 
him, saying, The child is not awaked. 

32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the 
child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 

33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them 
twain, and prayed unto the Lord. 

34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his 
mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his 
hands upon his hands : and he stretched himself upon the 
child ; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. 

35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro ; 
and went up, and stretched himself upon him : and the child 
sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 

36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. 
So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he 
said, Take up thy son. 

37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed her- 
self to the ground, and took up her son, and went out. 



II. SERVICES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. 

(a) (Eccl. xii: 1-14.) 

1 Eemember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, 
while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when 
thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them ; 

2 While the sun, or the light, or the moon, or the stars, be 
not darkened, nor the clouds return after the rain : 

3 In the day when the keepers of the house shall tremble, 
and the strong men shall bow themselves, and the grinders 
God and the cease because they are few, and those that look 
young. out of the windows be darkened, 

4 And the doors shall be shut in the streets, when the 
sound of the grinding is low, and he shall rise up at the voice 
of the bird, and all the daughters of music shall be brought 
low; 



ministers' manual. 77 

5 Also when they shall be afraid of that which is high, and 
fears shall be in the way, and the almond tree shall nourish, 
and the grasshopper shall be a burden, and desire shall fail : 
because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go 
about the streets : 

6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be 
broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the 
wheel broken at the cistern. 

7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was : and 
the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 

8 Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher ; all is vanity. 

9 And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still 
taught the people knowledge ; yea, he gave good heed, and 
sought out, and set in order many proverbs. 

10 The preacher sought to find out acceptable words ; and 
that which was written was upright, even words of truth. 

11 The words of the wise are as goads, and as nails fast- 
ened by the masters of assemblies, which are given from one 
shepherd. 

12 And further, by these, my son, be admonished : of 
making many books there is no end ; and much study is 
a weariness of the flesh. 

13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter : Fear 
God, and keep his commandments : for this is the whole duty 
of man. 

14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with 
every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 



(b) (Mark v: 35-42.) 

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the 
Jesus and synagogue's house certain which said, Thy 
the Ruler's daughter is dead : why troublest thou the master 
daughter. any furthe r ? 

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he 
saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only 
believe. 



78 THE CHRISTIAN 

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and 
James, and John the brother of James. 

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the syna- 
gogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed 
greatly. 

39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why 
make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but 
sleepeth. 

40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put 
them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the 
damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where 
the damsel was lying 

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto 
her, Talitha-cumi: which is, being interpreted, Damsel, (I 
say unto thee), arise. 

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked ; for 
she was of the age of twelve years. And they were aston- 
ished with a great astonishment. 



(c)(John xi: 17-35. 



17 Then when Jesus came, he found that he had lain in 
the grave four days already. 

Thesympa- 18 (Now Bethany was nigh unto Jerusalem, 
thy of Jesus. about fifteen furlongs off.) 

19 And many of the Jews came to Martha and Mary, to 
comfort them concerning their brother. 

20 Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was 
coming, went and met him : But Mary sat still in the house. 

21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been 
here, my brother had not died. 

22 But I know that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of 
God, God will give it thee. 

23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 

24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again 
in the resurrection at the last day. 



ministers' manual. 79 

25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the 
life : he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall 
he live : 

26 And whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never 
die. Believest thou this ? 

27 She said unto him, Yea, Lord : I believe that thou art 
the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the 
world. 

28 And when she had so said, she went hei way, and 
called Mary her sister secretly, saying, The Master is come, 
and calleth for thee. 

29 As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly, and came 

unto him. 

30. Now Jesus was not vet come into the town, but was in 
i 
that place where Martha met him. 

31 The Jews then which were with her in the house, and 
comforted her, when they saw Mary that she rose up hastily, 
and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the 
grave to weep there. 

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw 
him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou 
hadst been here, my brother had not died. 

33. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews 
also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, 
and was troubled. 

34. And said, Where have ye laid him ? They say unto 
him, Lord come and see. 

35 Jesus wept. 

(d) (Luke, vii: 11-16.) 



11 And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a 
city called Nain : and many of his disciples went with him, 
and much people. 

12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, 

there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his 

Jesus and the mother, and she was a widow : and much peo- 
widow's son. p i e f t ^ e c i ty wag w i t k ^ er# 



80 THE CHRISTIAN 

13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on 
her, and said unto her, Weep not. 

14 And he came and touched the bier : and they that bare 
him stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, 
Arise. 

15 And he that was dead sat up and began to speak : and 
he delivered him to his mother. 

16 And there came a fear on all : and they glorified God, 
saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us ; and, 
That God hath visited his people. 



III. SERVICES FOR CHRISTIANS. 
(a) I. Peter i: 13-25.) 

13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober 
Exhortation and hope to the end for the grace that is to be 
to a Holy Life, brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus 
Christ. 

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves accord- 
ing to the former lusts in your ignorance : 

15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye hcly 
in all manner of conversation ; 

16 Because it is written, Be ye holy ; for I am holy. 

17 And if he call on the Father, who without respect of 
persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the 
time of your sojouring here in fear : 

18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed 
with corruptible things, as silver and -gold, from your vain 
conversation received by tradition from your fathers ; 

19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb 
without blemish and without spot : 

20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of 
the world, but was manifest in these last times for you. 

21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up 
from the dead, and gave him glory ; that your faith and hope 
might be in God. 



ministers' manual. 81 

22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth 
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see 
that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently : 

23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incor- 
ruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for 
ever. 

24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the 
flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof 
falleth away : 

25 But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this 
is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. 



(6) (I. Cor. xv : 35-58.) 



35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up ? 
and with what body do they come ? 

36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened 
The certain- except it die : 

andthe P -ior r 37 And that wnicn tnou sowest, thou sowest 
of the resur- not that body that shall be, but bare grain ; it 
rection. ma y c h ance f wheat, or of some other grain. 

38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and 
to every seed his own body. 

39 All flesh is not the same flesh ; but there is one kind of 
flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and 
another of birds. 

40 There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial : 
but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the 
terrestrial is another. 

41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the 
moon, and another glory of the stars ; for one star differeth 
from another star in glory. 

42 ISo also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in 
corruption, it is raised in incorruption : 

43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory : it is 
sown in weakness, it is raised in power : 



82 THE CHRISTIAN 

44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 
There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a 
living soul, and last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 

46 Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual, but that 
which is natural ; and afterward that which is spiritual. 

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy : the second man 
is the Lord from heaven. 

48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy : 
and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 

49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we 
shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot 
inherit the kingdom of God ; neither doth corruption inherit 
incorruption. 

51 Behold, I show you a mystery ; We shall not all sleep, 
but we shall all be changed. 

52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last 
trump : for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be 
raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 

53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and 
this mortal must put on immortality. 

54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorrup- 
tion, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then 
shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is 
swallowed up in victory. 

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy 
victory. 

56 The sting of death is sin ; and the strength of sin is 
the law. 

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, un- 
moveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foras- 
much as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the 
Lord, 



ministers' manual. 83 

(c) (Heb. 2di: 1-13.) 

1 Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with 
The way of so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside 
the way of evei T weight, and the sin which doth so easily 
the crown. beset us, and let us run with patience the race 
that is set before us. 

2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, 
who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, 
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of 
the throne of God. 

3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of 
sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your 
minds. 

4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against 
sin. 

5. And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh 
unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the 
the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked 
of him : 

6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth 
every son whom he receiveth. 

7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with 
sons : for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not ? 

8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are 
partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 

9 Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh which 
corrected us and we gave them reverence : shall we not 
much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and 
live? 

10 For they verily for a few days chastened us after 
their own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that we might be 
partakers of his holiness. 

11 Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be 
joyous, but grievous : nevertheless, afterward it yieldeth the 
peacable fruit of* righteousness unto them which are exer- 
cised thereby. 



84 THE CHRISTIAN 

12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and 
the feeble knees ; 

13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which 
is lame be turned out of the way ; but let it rather be healed. 

(d) (Acts ix : 36-42.) 

36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named 
Their works Tabitha, which by interpretation is called 
do follow Dorcas ; this woman was full of good works and 

alms-deeds which she did. 

37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, 
and died : whom when they had washed, they laid her in an 
upper chamber. 

38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the 
disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto 
him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come 
to them. 

39 Then Peter arose, and went with them. When he was 
come, they brought him into the upper chamber : and all 
the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats 
and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 

40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and 
prayed ; and turning him to the body, said, Tabitha, arise. 
And she opened her eyes : and when she saw Peter, she sat 
up. 

41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up ; and 
when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her 
alive. 

42 And it was known throughout all Joppa : and many 
believed in the Lord. 

ifi) (II. Cor. iv: 7-18.) 

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the 
Through excellency of the power may be of God, and not 

umph. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not dis- 

tressed, we are perplexed, but not in despair. 



ministers' manual. 85 

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken ; cast down, but not de- 
stroyed ; 

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the 
Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made mani- 
fest in our body. 

11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for 
Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made mani- 
fest in our mortal flesh. 

12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 

13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is 
written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken ; we also 
believe, and therefore speak ; 

14 Knowing, that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, 
shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 

15. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant 
grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to 
the glory of God. 

16 For which cause we faint not ; but though our outward 
man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, 
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of 
glory ; 

18 While we Iook not at the things which are seen, but at 
the things which are not seen : for the things which are seen 
are temporal ; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 



(/) (II. Cor. v: 1-10.) 



1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle 
Absent from were dissolved, we have a building of God, an 
present with nouse not m ade with hands, eternal in the 
the Lord. heavens. 

2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed 
upon with our house which is from heaven : 

3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 



86 THE CHRISTIAN 

4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being bur- 
dened : not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, 
that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 

5 Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is 
God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 

6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst 
we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord : 

7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight :) 

8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent 
from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 

9 Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we 
may be accepted of him. 

10 For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of 
Christ ; that every one may receive the things done in his 
body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good 
or bad. 

(g) (Lukexii: 37-40.) 



37 Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he 
cometh shall find watching : verily I say unto you, that he 
Ready and shall gird himself, and make them to sit down 
Watching. to meat, and will come forth and serve them. 

38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in 
the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants. 

39 And this know, that if the good man of the house had 
known what hour the thief would come, he would have 
watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken 
through . 

40 Be ye therefore ready also , for the Son of Man cometh 
at an hour when ye think not. 



(h) (Rev. xxi. and xxii. Selections.) 

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth : for the first 
heaven and the first earth were passed away ; and there was 
no more sea. 



ministers' manual. 87 

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, corning 
down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned 
for her husband. 

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Be- 
hold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell 
The new city with them, and they shall be his people, and 

tifoiriv^Si God himself sha11 be witn them > and be their 
eternal life. God. 

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and 
there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, 
neither shall there be any more pain : for the former things 
are passed away. 

22 And I saw no temple therein : for the Lord God Al- 
mighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. 

23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the 
moon, to shine in it : for the glory of God did lighten it, and 
the Lamb is the light thereof. 

24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk 
in the light of it : and the kings of the earth do bring their 
glory and honor into it. 

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day : for 
there shall be no night there. 

26 And they shall bring the glory and honor of the na. 
tions into it. 

27 And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that 
defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh 
a lie ; but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. 

1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as 
crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the 
Lamb. 

2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the 
river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of 
fruits, and yielded her fruit every month : and the leaves of 
the tree were for the healing of the nations. 

3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of 
God and of the Lamb shall be in it ; and his servants shall 
serve him : 



88 THE CHRISTIAN 

4 And they shall see his face ; and his name shall he in 
their foreheads. 

14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they 
may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through 
the gates into the city. 



IV. GENERAL SERVICES. 
(a) (Psalm xc.) 

1 Lord, thou hast heen our dwelling-place in all genera- 
tions. 

2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou 
hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting 
to everlasting, thou art God, 

3 Thou turnest man to destruction ; and sayest, Return, 
ye children of men. 

4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday 
when it is past, and as a watch in the night. 

5 Thou carriest them away as with a flood ; they are as a 
sleep ; in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. 

6 In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up ; in the 
evening it is cut down, and withereth. 

7 For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath 
are we troubled. 

8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins 
in the light of thy countenance. 

9 For all our days are passed away in thy wrath : we spend 
our years, as a tale that is told. 

10 The days of our years are three-score years and ten ; 
and if by reason of strength they be four-score years, yet is 
their strength labor and sorrow ; for it is soon cut off, and 
we fly away. 

11 Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even accord- 
ing to thy fear, so is thy wrath. 



ministers' manual. 89 

12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our 
hearts unto wisdom. 

13 Return, O Lord, how Jong? and let it repent thee con- 
cerning thy servants. 

14 O satisfy us early with thy mercy ; that we may rejoice 
and be glad all our days. 

15 Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast 
afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil. 

16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory 
unto their children, 

17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us : 
and establish thou the work of our hands upon us ; yea, the 
work of our hands establish thou it. 



(6) (Jobiv: 7-21.) 



7 Eemember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being inno- 
cent ? or where were the righteous cut off? 

8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow 
wickedness, reap the same. 

9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of 
his nostrils are they consumed. 

10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce 
lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken. 

11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout 
lion's whelps are scattered abroad. 

12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear 
received a little thereof. 

13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep 
sleep falleth on men, 

14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my 
bones to shake. 

15 Then a spirit passed before my face ; the hair of my 
flesh stood up : 



90 THE CHRISTIAN 

16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: 
an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I 
heard a voice, saying, 

17 Shall mortal man be more just than God ? shall a man 
be more pure than his maker ? 

18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants ; and his angels 
he charged with folly : 

19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, 
whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before 
the moth? 

20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they 
perish forever without any regarding it. 

21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away ? 
they die, even without wisdom. 



(c) (Matthew xxy: 31-46.) 



31 When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all 
the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne 
of his glory: 

32 And before him shall be gathered all nations : and he 
shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth 
his sheep from the goats : 

33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the 
goats on the left. 

34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, 
Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom pre- 
pared for you from the foundation of the world : 

35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat : I was 
thirsty, and ye gave me drink : I was a stranger, and ye took 
me in: 

36 Naked, and ye clothed me : I was sick, and ye visited 
me : I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, 
when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee ? or thirsty, and 
gave thee drink ? 



91 

38 "When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in ? or 
naked, and clothed thee ? 

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto 
thee? 

40 A«nd the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily 
I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the 
least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 

41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, 
Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared 
for the devil and his angels : 

42 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me no meat : I was 
thirsty, and ye gave me no drink-: 

43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in : naked, and ye 
clothed me not : sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. 

44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when 
saw we thee an hungered, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, 
or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 

45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto 
you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, 
ye did it not to me. 

46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment : 
but the righteous into life eternal. 



(d) (Psalm xx.) 



1 The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of 
the God of Jacob defend thee. 

2 Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee 
out of Zion. 

3 Kemember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacri- 
fice. Selah. 

4 Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfill all 
thy counsel. 

5 We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our 
God we will set up our banners : the Lord fulfill all thy peti- 
tions. 



92 THE CHRISTIAN 

6 Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed ; he will 
hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of 
his right hand. 

7 Some trust in chariots, and some in horses : but we will 
remember the name of the Lord our God. 

8 They are brought down and fallen : but we are risen, 
and stand upright. 

9 Save, Lord : let the king hear us when we call. 



(e) (Psalm xlix.) 



1 Hear this all ye people ; give ear, all ye inhabitants of 
the world : 

2 Both low and high, rich and poor, together. 

3 My mouth shall speak of wisdom ; and the meditation 
of my heart shall be of understanding. 

4 I will incline mine ear to a parable : I will open my durk 
saying upon the harp. 

5 Wherefore should I fear in the days of evil, when the 
iniquity of my heels shall compass me about ? 

6 They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves 
in the multitude of their riches ; 

7 None of them can by any means redeem his brother, nor 
give to God a ransom for him : 

8 (For the redemption of their soul is precious, and it 
ceaseth forever :) 

9 That he should still live forever, and not see corruption. 

10 For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and 
the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others. 

11 Their inward thought is, that their houses shall con- 
tinue forever, and their dwelling-places to all generations; 
they call their lands after their own names. 

12 Nevertheless man being in honor abideth not ; he is 
like the beasts that perish. 

13 This their way is their folly : yet their posterity ap- 
prove their sayings. Selah. 



ministers' manual. 93 

14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave : death shall feed 
on them ; and the upright shall have dominion over them in 
the morning ; and their beauty shall consume in the grave 
from their dwelling. 

15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the 
grave : for he shall receive me. Selah. 

16 Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the 
glory of his house is increased ; 

17 For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away : his 
glory shall not descend after him. 

18 Though while he lived he blessed his soul, (and men 
will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself,) 

19 He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they 
shall never see light. 

20 Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is like 
the beasts that perish. 



V. AT THE GRAVE. 

After the body has been laid in the grave, the min- 
ister may say : 

Forasmuch as it has pleased our Heavenly Father 
Form of Buri- ^ n hi s w * se providence to take out of this 
ai service. body the spirit that inhabited it, we there- 
fore commit its decaying remains to their kindred 
element — earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; 
looking for the general resurrection through our Lord 
Jesus Christ; at whose coming to judge the world, 
the earth and the sea shall give up their dead ; and 
the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall 
be made like unto his own glorious body ; according 
to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue 
all things unto himself. 



94 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTERS' MANUAL. 

We have come here to lay our dead out of sight. 
Anotherform ^ ut we sorrow not as those who have no 
of committal, hope. In the hope of eternal life, we com- 
mit all that is mortal of this our Brother to the earth 
whence he came — earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust te 
dust. 

And to Him who sitteth on high, in whose hand are 
the keys of death and hell, we look for that resurrec- 
tion of the body whereof he was the first fruits from 
the dead. 

Now the God of peace, that brought again from 

« *• ^ the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shep- 
Benediction. 70 x- 

herd of the sheep, through the blood of 
the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every 
good work, to do his will, working in you that which 
is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ ; to 
whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. 



IX. 



THE SICK ROOM. 



The following selection and classification of pas- 
sages from the scriptures will be appreciated by those 
who have frequently found difficulty in making suita- 
ble selections for the sick room. 



(a) (John, xv : 1-8.) 

1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. 

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh 
The blessings away: and every branch that beareth fruit, 
ofaffliction. k e purgeth it, that it may bring forth more 
fruit. 

3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken 
unto you. 

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear 
fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine: no more can ye, 
except ye abide in me. 

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches : He that abideth 
in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit : 
for without me ye can do nothing. 

6 If a man abideth not in me, he is cast forth as a branch 
and is withered ; and men gather them, and cast them into 

the lire, and they are burned. 

95 



96 THE CHRISTIAN 

7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall 
ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 

8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit ; 
so shall ye be my disciples. 



(b) (Rom., v: 1-5.) 

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with 
God, though our Lord Jesus Christ : 

2 By w r hom also we have access by faith into this grace 
wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also; 
knowing that tribulation worketh patience ; 

4 And patience, experience ; and experience hope ; 

5 And hope maketh not ashamed : because the love of 
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which 
is given to us. 



(c) (II. Cor. xii: 7-10.) 

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through 
the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a 
thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest 
I should be exalted above measure. 

8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might 
depart from me. 

9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee . 
for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly 
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the 
power of Christ may rest upon me. 

10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, 
in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's 
sake : for when I am weak, then am I strong. 



ministers' manual. 97 

(d) (I. Peter, i: 3-9.) 

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 
which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us 
again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ 
from the dead. 

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that 
fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. 

5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto 
salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. 

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season (if 
need be) ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations : 

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious 
than of gold that perisheth, through it be tried with fire, 
might be found unto praise, and honour, and glory, at the 
appearing of Jesus Christ. 

8 Whom having not seen, ye love ; in whom, though now 
ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeaka- 
ble, and full of glory : 

9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of 
your souls. 

(a) (Psalm iii.) 

Lord, how, are they increased that trouble me ? many are 
Patience and they that rise up against me. 
Trust 2 Many there be which say of my soul, There 

is no help for him in God. Selah. 

3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me ; my glory, and 
the lifter up of mine head. 

4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me 
out of his holy hill. Selah. 

5 I laid me down and slept ; I awoke ; for the Lord sus- 
tained me. 

6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that 
have set themselves against me round about. 



98 THE CHRISTIAN 

7 Arise, O Lord ; save me, my God ; for thou hast 
smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone ; thou hast 
broken the teeth of the ungodly. 

8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord : thy blessing is 
upon thy people. Seiah. 



(b) (Psalm xviii: 1-19.) 

1 I will love thee, Lord, my strength. 

2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliv- 
erer : my God, my strength, in whom I will trust ; my 
buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 

3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised : 
so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 

4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of 
ungodly men made me afraid. 

5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about : the snares of 
death prevented me. 

6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto 
my God : he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry 
came before him, even into his ears. 

7 Then the earth shook and trembled ; the foundations 
also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was 
wroth. 

8 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out 
of his mouth devoured : coals were kindled by it. 

9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down : and dark- 
ness was under his feet. 

10 And he rode upon a cherub and did fly : yea, he did 
fly upon the wings of the wind. 

11 He made darkness his secret place ; his pavilion round 
about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 

12 At the brightness that was before him his thick clouds 
passed, hail-stones and coals of fire. 

13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the 
Highest gave his voice ; hail-stones and coals of fire. 

14 Yea, he sent out his arrows, and scattered them ; and 
he shot out lightning, and discomfited them. 



99 

15 Then the channels of water were seen, and the founda- 
tions of the world were discovered at thy rebuke, O Lord, at 
the blast of the breath thy nostrils. 

16 He sent from above, he took me, he drew me out of 
many waters. 

17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from 
them which hated me : for they were too strong for me. 

18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity : but the 
Lord was my stay. 

19 He brought me forth also into a large place : he deliv- 
ered me, because he delighted in me. 

(c) (Psalm cxxi ) 

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence 
cometh my help. 

2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven 
and earth. 

3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved : he that keep- 
eth thee will not slumber. 

4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber 
nor sleep. 

5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon 
thy right hand. 

6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by 
night. 

7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil : he shall pre- 
serve thy soul. 

8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming 
in from this time forth, and even for ever more. 

{d) (James v : 7-11) 

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the 
Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious 
fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he 
receive th the early and latter rain. 



100 THE CHRISTIAN 

8 Be ye also patient ; stablish your hearts : for the com- 
ing of the Lord draweth nigh, 

9. Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be 
condemned : behold, the Judge standeth before the door. 

10. Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in 
the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, 
and of patience. 

11 Behold, we count them happy w T hich endure. Ye have 
heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the 
Lord ; that the Lo^d is very nitiful, and of tender mercy. 

(a) (Isaiah liii: 1-12.) 

1 Who hath believed our report ? and to whom is the arm 
of the Lord revealed? 

2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and 

Divine mercy as a root ou ^ °^ a ^ r ^ g roun( l '• ne hath no form 

and sympa- nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, 

there is no beauty that we should desire him. 

3 He is despised and rejected of men ; a man of sorrow, 
and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces 
from him ; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 

4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sor- 
rows : yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and 
afflicted. 

5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was 
bruised for our iniquities : the chastisement of our peace 
was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed. 

6 All we like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned 
every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him 
the iniquity of us all. 

7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened 
not his mouth : he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, 
and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth 
not his mouth. 

8 He was taken from prison and from judgment : and who 
shall declare his generation ? for he was cut off out of the 
land of the living: for the transgression of my people was 
he stricken. 



ministers' manual. 101 

9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the 
rich in his death ; because he had done no violence, neither 
was any deceit in his mouth. 

10 Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him ; he hath put 
him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering 
for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and 
the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in nis hand. 

11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be 
satisfied : by his knowledge shall my righteous servant jus- 
tify many ; for he shall bear their iniquities. 

12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, 
and he shall divide the spoil with the strong ; because he 
hath poured out his soul unto death : and he was numbered 
with the transgressors and he bare the sin of many, and 
made intercession for the transgressors. 



(6) (Psalm xxv. 12-22.) 

12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he 
teach in the way that he shall choose. 

13 His soul shall dwell at ease and his seed shall inherit 
the earth. 

14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him ; 
and he will show them his covenant. 

15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord , for he shall pluck 
my feet out of the net. 

16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I 
am desolate and afflicted. 

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged : O bring thou 
me out of my distresses. 

18 Look upon mine affliction, and my pain ; and forgive all 
my sins. 

19 Consider mine enemies ; for they are many; and they 
hate me with cruel hatred. 

20 O keep my soul, and deliver me : let me not be asham- 
ed ; for I put my trust in thee. 



102 THE CHRISTIAN 

21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me ; for I wait 
on thee. 

22 Eedeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles. 



(c) (Psalm xxxiv : 15-22.) 

15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and his 
ears are open unto their cry. 

16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to 
cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 

17 The rightous cry, and the Lordheareth, and delivereth 
them out of all their troubles. 

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; 
and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 

19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous : but the Lord 
delivereth him out of them all. 

20 He keepeth all his bones : not one of them is broken. 

21 Evil shall slay the wicked : and they that hate the 
righteous shall be desolate. 

22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants : and none 
of them that trust in him shall be desolate. 

(d) (Isaiah liv.) 

1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and 
he that hath no money ; come ye, buy, and eat ; yea, come, 
buy wine and milk without money and without price. 

2 Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not 
bread ? and your labor for that which satisfieth not ? hearken 
diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let 
your soul delight itself in fatness. 

3 Incline your ear and come unto me : hear, and your soul 
shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with 
you, even the sure mercies of David. 

4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the people, a 
leader and commander to the people. 



ministers' manual. 103 

5 Behold, thou shalt call a nation that thou knowest not, 
and nations that knew not thee shall run unto thee because 
of the Lord thy God, and for the Holy One of Israel ; for he 
hath glorified thee. 

6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon 
him while he is near : 

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous 
man his thoughts : and let him return unto the Lord, and he 
will have mercy upon him ; and to our God, for he will abun- 
dantly pardon. 

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are 
your ways my ways, saith the Lord. 

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my 
ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your 
thoughts. 

10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from 
heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, 
and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to 
the sower, and bread to the eater : 

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth : 
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that 
which 1 please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I 
sent it. 

12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with 
peace : the mountains and the hills shall break forth before 
you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their 
hands. 

13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and 
instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree : and it 
shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that 
shall not be cut off. 

(a) (Psalm ex vi; 1-11.) 

1 I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my 
supplications. 

2 Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will 
I call upon him as long as I live. 



104 THE CHRISTIAN 

3 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of 
The Recovery ne U got hold upon me : I found trouble and 
of Health. sorrow. 

4 Then called I upon the name of the Lord; O Lord, I 
beseech thee, deliver my soul. 

5 Gracious is the Lord, and rignteous ; yea, our God is 
merciful. 

6 The Lord preserveth the simple ; I was brought low, 
and he helped me. 

7 Eeturn unto' thy rest, my soul ; for the Lord hath 
dealt bountifully with thee. 

8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes 
from tears, and my feet from falling. 

9 I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living. 

10 1 believed, therefore have I spoken : I was greatly 
afflicted : 

11 I said in my haste, All men are liars. 



(b) (Isaiah xxxviii; 9-20.) 

9 The v/riting of Hezekiah, king of Judah, when he had 
been sick, and was recovered of his sickness : 

10 I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go to the 
gates of the grave : I am deprived of the residue of my years. 

11 I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in the 
land of the living : I shall behold man no more with the in- 
habitants of the world. 

12 Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shep- 
herd's tent : I have cut off like a weaver my life : he will cut 
me off with pining sickness : from day even to night wilt 
thou make an end of me. 

13 I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will he break 
all my bones : from day even to night wilt thou make an end 
of me. 

14 Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter : I did mourn 
as a dove : mine eyes fail with looking upward : O Lord, I am 
oppressed : undertake for me. 



ministers' manual. 105 

15 What shall I say ? he hath both spoken unto me, and 
himself hath done it : I shall go softly all my years in the 
bitterness of my soul. 

16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these 
things is the life of my spirit : so wilt thou recover me, and 
make me to live. 

17 Behold, for peace I have great bitterness : but thou 
hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corrup- 
tion : for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. 

18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot cele- 
brate thee : they that go down into the pit cannot hope for 
thy truth. 

19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this 
day : the father to the children shall make known thy truth. 

20 The Lord was ready to save me : therefore we will sing 
my songs to the stringed instruments all the days of our life 
in the house of the Lord. 



(c) (Phxiippians ii. 25-30.) 



25 Yet I supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphrodi- 
tus, my brother, and companion in labor, and fellow-soldier, 
but your messenger, and he that ministered to my wants. 

26 For he longed after you all, and was full of heaviness, 
because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 

27 For indeed he was sick nigh unto death : but God had 
mercy on him ; and not on him only, but on me also, lest I 
should have sorrow upon sorrow. 

28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye 
see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less 
sorrowful. 

29 Receive him, therefore, in the Lord with all gladness ; 
and hold such in reputation : 

30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, 
not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service to- 
ward me. 



106 THE CHRISTIAN 

(d) (Psalm xxx : 2-12.) 

2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast 
healed me. 

3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave : 
thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 

4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks 
at the remembrance of his holiness. 

5 For his anger endureth but for a moment ; in his favor is 
life : weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the 
morning. 

6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 

7 Lord, by thy favor thou hast made my mountain to 
stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and iVas troubled. 

8 1 cried to thee, O Lord ; and unto the Lord I made sup- 
plication. 

9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the 
pit ? Shall the dust praise thee ? shall it declare thy truth ? 

10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me : Lord, be thou 
my helper* 

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing : 
thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness ; 

12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and 
not be silent. O L©rd my God, I will give thanks unto thee 
forever. 

(a) (I. Johniii: 1, 2.) . 

1 Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed 
The Dying upon us, that we should be called the sons of 
Christian. God ! therefore the world knoweth us not, be- 
cause it knew him not. 

2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not 
yet appear what we shall be : but we know that when he 
shall appear, we shall be like him ; for we shall see him as 
he is. 



ministers' manual. 107 

(6) (II. Timothy iv: 6-8.) 

6 For I ani now ready to be offered, and the time of my 
departure is at hand. 

7 I have fought a good fight; I have finished my course, I 
have kept the faith : 

8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteous- 
ness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at 
that day : and not to me only, but unto all them also that 
love his appearing. 

(c) (Philippiansiii: 20, 21.) 

20 For our conversation is in heaven ; from whence also 
we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ : 

21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fash- 
ioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working 
whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. 

{d) (Philippians i : 20-24.) 

20 According to my earnest expectation, and my hope, that 
in nothing I stiall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as 
always, so now also, Christ shall be magnified in my body, 
whether it be by life, or by death. 

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 

22 But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labor : 
yet what I shall choose I know not. 

23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to de- 
part, and be with Christ. 

24 Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ 
in sincerity. Amen. 

(e) (Psalm xvi: 8-11.) 

8 I have set the Lord always before me : because he is at 
my right hand, I shall not be moved. 



108 THE CHRISTIAN MINISTERS* MANUAL. 

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth ; my 
flesh also shall rest in hope. 

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in heft ; neither wilt 
thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 

11 Thou wilt show me the path of life : in thy presence is 
fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for- 
ever more. 



X. 



FUNERAL SERMONS AND ADDRESSES. 



In the scriptures, four things may be found, which 
are of great value to the Christian Minister: " Pre- 
cepts for life, doctrines for knowledge, examples for 
illustrations, and promises for comfort." 

Subject: Death and Judgment. 

Text: "It is appointed unto men once to die, but after 
this the judgment."— (Heb. ix: 27.) 

The question is often asked, if there is a God, why- 
all the suffering that is in the world ? Why does death 
reign triumphant over all ? Why does the innocent 
suffer and the cold blooded murderer go free? Is 
there no justice to be meted out to man? 

A judgment day is often spoken of in the Bible. 
That day is necessary for God to vindicate his charac- 
ter before angels and men as a God of justice, mercy 
and love. 

(1) Men are called upon to repent in view of that 
day. Acts xvii: 31. 

109 



110 THE CHRISTIAN 

(2) The demons expected such a day when Jesus 
was upon the earth, Math, viii ; 29; wicked angels 
are doomed to that day, and unjust men are reserved 
to that day, II. Peter ii: 4, 9; All will be there, 
Rom. xiv : 10-12; Our words will be brought up, 
Math, xii : 38, 37; The secret things will be judged, 
Rom. ii : 16; Sodom and .Gomorrah will be there, 
Math, x: 15; It is after the spirit leaves the body 
that we are to be judged, II. Cor. v : 8-10; and there- 
fore after death, Heb. ix : 27. 

(3) To accomplish this Jesus will come again. He 
will come personally, Acts i: 11; When he comes 
the saints will meet him in glory, Col. iii : 4 ; When 
he comes he will change the bodies of his people like 
unto his, Phil, iii : 30-31 ; When he comes he will 
raise the dead, I. Thess., iv : 13-16, and I. Cor., xv : 
23 ; The righteous will be revealed at the resurrection 
of the just, Luke xiv: 14; Paul looked for a crown 
of life at the Lord's coming, II. Tim., iv: 1-8; and 
when the Lord comes in judgment he will reward the 
righteous and the wicked, II. Thess. i: 6-10. 

(4) From this judgment there is no appeal. Blessed 
is he who can stand the trial of the last great day. 



Subject: Christian Kipeness. 

Text: " Thou shalt come to thy grave in full age, like as a 
shock of corn cometh in his season. (Job v : 26.) 

The shock of ripe corn is a beautiful symbol of a 
completed and ripe Christian life. 



ministers' manual. Ill 

1. To produce the shock of corn there must have 
been seed sown, for nature does not produce corn oth- 
erwise. 

2. The seed must have contained the principle of 
coming life. 

3. The soil must be prQper and well prepared and 
cared for. 

4. There must be gradual growth and develop- 
ment. 

5. The plant must be supplied with nourishment 
from within and from without. 

6. In growing it was exposed to many changes. 
Cold, and heat, drouth and flood and tempest, come 
between the seed time and the harvest, and it must 
have the sunshine to ripen it. 

7. So the Christian's life passes through similar 
changes from the planting of the good seed of the 
word of God in the heart until the ripened life is ready 
for the eternal garner. 

Subject: The Dead Child. 

Text: " They all wept and bewailed her, but Jesus said," 
etc., etc. (Luke viii : 52.) 

The history in which these words are found records 
one of the most distinguished miracles of Christ. 
Notice : — 

I. The sorrow at the death of the child. 

II. Christ's consoling view of death : " she is not 
dead, but sleepeth." 

III. Christ as the great awakener. No one but 
Christ could have awakened that maid. 



112 THE CHRISTIAN 

Christ makes the grave the door through which we 
pass into a better life. Through him the sting and 
victory of death and the grave have passed away. 

Subject: The Certainty of the Resurrection. 

Text : " Thy brother shall rise again." (John xi : 23.) 

I. Jesus said so and it came to pass. 

II. Jesus has power over the grave, and the forces 
of death are obedient to him. 

III. He surrendered himself to death in its most 
terrible form and freed himself unharmed. 

IV. Hence the resurrection is possible, for there is 
one who has power over death. 

V. The resurrection is certain, for he who has 
power over it has promised it, and his word is truth. 

Subject: Death will not end us. 

Text: " I am the resurrection and the life. (John xi : 25.) 
Let us notice : — 

I. Christ proved his power over death by going 
through the grave and back again. 

II. Death is the breaking of the shell that gives the 
bird a world instead of a narrow cell, and powers of 
flight and vision of which no revelation could have 
given it an adequate conception. 

III. The grave more even than the cradle marks 
the commencement of eternal life. As we stand by 
the graves of dear ones we have a right to say : Believ- 



ministers' manual. 113 

ing in the midst of our afflictions that death is a 
beginning and not an end, we cry to them and send 
farewells that better might be called predictions. 
They are foreshadowings of the future thrown into 
the unknown. 



Subject : Human Life. 

Text : " What is your life ? (James iv : 14.) 

I. Life is the gift of God. The cradled baby 
breathes involuntarily because its breath is in God's 
hands. 

II. Being God's gift it should be devoted to great 
purposes. The mere lapse of time is not life. The 
end of life is to be like God, and in this way do we 
glorify him. 

III. This life is the period of our preparation for a 
higher and a better life. There is no perfection in 
this life. The oldest and wisest man is as a child, 
and is full of imperfections. 

IV. This life is transitory and uncertain. It is 
like a vapor ; It is like a voyage ; It is a pilgrimage ; 
It is a drama ; It is like a rainbow ; It is a valley of 
shadows and a vale of tears. 

"Gently, Lord, gently lead us 
Through this gloomy vale of tears 
Through the changes, thou'st decreed us. 
Till our last great change appears." 



114 THE CHRISTIAN 

Subject: The Glorified Dead. 

Text: " I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me write, 
etc., etc. (Eev. xiv : 13.) 

This language suggests the interest of heaven in the 
glorified dead. 

By the voice and on the written page will their 
memories be perpetuated. 

I. The character of their death is blessed, u In the 
Lord." There is a complete union between the 
Christian dead and Christ. 

II. Their condition after death is blessed. " They 
do rest from their labors ;" not in inaction and indo- 
lence, but perfection in service and honor. 

III. The influence of their lives is blessed. 
" Their works follow them," ever widening, ever 
deepening, ever rising. 

" The afflictions of life are brief and light, 
While faith looks beyond the dark Jordan's strand, 

Where splendidly shine the mansions bright, 
Which Jesus prepares in that Glorious Land." 

Subject-. The Grandeur of the Christian's Death. 

Text : " Death is swallowed up in victory. (I. Cor. xv : 54.) 

The sting of death is sin. The only thing that gives 
death any power over us is sin. In the case of the 
Christian sin is pardoned, and so the sting of death is 
withdrawn. 



ministers' manual. 115 

I. Death to a good man is only the gate that opens 
into a higher life, and a better state of being. Through 
Christ he has wrested the dart from death's hand, 
and it has now no power over him. Over death he is 
a conqueror, and to him it is the grandest triumph, 
for it is all gain. 

II. At death the Christian lays aside this fleshly 
body w T ith its lusts and its appetites, its pains and its 
passions. 

His soul is delivered from bondage to enter upon 
the joyful freedom of heaven. 

He is introduced into holy society, and into scenes 
of glory and everlasting blessedness. 

" Where golden harps are ringing." 



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f 



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4 JOHN burns' catalogue op 

THE NEW CHRISTIAN HYMN AND TUNE BOOK. 

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